Patient who fell off Thiruvananthapuram MCH bed dies

Thiruvananthapuram: A 62-year-old patient from Kollam died after allegedly falling from a hospital bed while undergoing treatment for jaundice at Govt Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Wilfred, a resident of Perayam.

According to hospital sources, the incident occurred in Ward No 5 of the hospital, one of the busiest wards in the state’s premier tertiary care institution. Wilfred, who had been admitted for treatment of age-related health complications, reportedly fell from his bed under circumstances that are yet to be fully established. He sustained serious injuries in the fall and was immediately attended to by medical personnel. However, despite efforts to save him, he later died.

Medical College police have registered a case based on a complaint lodged by his son Lenin and commenced an investigation into the incident. Police said statements would be collected from hospital staff, fellow patients, bystanders and relatives to ascertain the exact sequence of events that led to the tragedy. Investigators are also expected to examine whether safety measures such as bed rails and regular patient monitoring were in place at the time of the incident.

The body has been shifted to the mortuary for postmortem examination. The findings are expected to help determine whether the injuries sustained in the fall directly resulted in the death.

Hospital authorities are yet to issue a detailed statement on the matter. The incident has raised concerns over patient safety in govt hospitals, particularly in overcrowded wards that cater to a large number of patients from southern Kerala. Further action will be taken based on the police investigation and postmortem report.