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Mistaken diagnosis of possible dengue/malaria; he had A/H1N1

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  • Mistaken diagnosis of possible dengue/malaria; he had A/H1N1

    Source: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/...%E2%80%99.html

    We were told he had pneumonia?

    Says the family of Sandeep Gaikwad who died of swine flu on Tuesday; claims the hospitals did not treat him in time, files police complaint against them

    By Lata Mishra
    Posted On Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 05:14:40 AM

    After being hospitalised for more then a month, 28-year-old Sandeep Gaikwad succumbed to swine flu at the Hiranandani Hospital, on Tuesday.

    Gaikwad, who worked as a petro-chemical engineer in Rolta India private limited, tested positive for the H1N1 virus on August 7. His family alleges negligence by two private hospitals - Paramount Hospital at Saki Naka, and Hiranandani Hospital at Powai, where he was admitted. They have lodged a police complaint against the hospitals and the clinic where he was first treated.

    ?My brother just had fever. We never thought he would die of swine flu. The hospitals did not even treat him for swine flu. We were told he had pneumonia. We have lodged a police complaint against the hospitals at the Powai Police Station, for not providing timely treatment,? said Vishwavikas, 25, Gaikwad?s younger brother. Gaikwad got married a year ago and was the sole breadwinner in the family. The Hiranandani Hospital has issued a bill of Rs 13 lakh to the Gaikwads.

    A resident of Chandivali, Gaikwad was admitted to Paramount Hospital on July 31 for high fever and a cold. Before this he was treated by a general practitioner, one Dr Pawar at his clinic, for common flu for about five days.

    ?We suspected the patient had malaria or dengue and conducted diagnostic tests on him. But he tested negative. On August 3 suddenly he became breathless and was shifted to the ICCU (intensive critical care unit) and put on oxygen.? said Dr Utkarsh Anjechekar, medical director, Paramount Hospital.


    Doctors referred him to Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital in Powai, when he did not improve.

    Docs did not suspect he had H1N1

    ?Gaikwad had developed an effusion in the right lung, so we suspected he had pneumonia. We did not have a clue why the patient suffered from respiratory failure,? added Dr Anjechekar, saying doctors did not suspect he had H1N1 as it was a new disease.

    According to Hiranandani Hospital authorities, his throat swabs were sent on August 4 to Kasturba Hospital, and the report saying he had tested positive arrived on August 7.

    ?When he was brought to the hospital, he was critical and had developed ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). So he was put on ventilator. On August 7 we started administering Tamiflu,? said Dr Sujit Chatterjee, CEO, Hiranandani Hospital.

    ?Instead of starting the treatment for swine flu, for five days Hiranandani tested Sandeep for dengue and malaria, for which he had already tested negative at Paramount Hospital,? alleged Vishwavikas.

    Dr Jairaj Thanekar, executive health officer, BMC said, ?Gaikwad was administered Tamiflu for five days. He was on ventilator and was not responding to any treatment.?

    ?I have registered an ADR (Accidental Death Report). I have also taken the three hospital?s medical reports and am sending to the medical board of the state. If they are found guilty I will register an FIR,? said Senior Inspector R N Rupawate of Powai Police Station.

    After the post mortem at Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, Gaikwad?s body was taken to Dhule for the last rites.

    with inputs by Akela
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