Show cause Notice issued on Max Hospital by Delhi Medical Council for Medical Negligence and Overcharging from a patient

A show cause Notice has been issued to Max Hospital, Patparganj in a case involving medical negligence and overcharging for treatment of a patient by the Delhi Medical Council (DMC). Mr. Shiv Kumar and his wife Mrs. Kamini Gupta came to the Max Hospital on October 13, 2016, as she was suffering from photosensitivity. She was kept in the emergency ward, where the team of neurologists prescribed Fentanyl (50 micrograms per hour) Injection to her. However, due to the medical negligence of the team of doctors and staff, a higher dose of Fentanyl (700 micrograms per hour) was given to her as a result of which, she succumbed to cardiac arrest and thereby died in the hospital itself. The family spent less than a day at the hospital and they were charged an enormous amount of Rs 86, 407/-. The 75-year-old husband of the deceased has further claimed that the timings on the bill were changed when a copy of the bill was asked by the Medical Council. It must be noted that the Delhi Medical Council has the power to receive complaints from public (including patients and their relatives) against the misconduct or negligence by a medical practitioner, to proceed for inquest, take a decision on the merits of the case and to initiate disciplinary action or award compensation and to take action against frivolous complaints under the DMC Act. The authorities of the Max Hospital have denied all the allegations and have stated that all medication was provided in the correct dosage. The hospital authorities also stated that the allegation of overdosage is baseless and false. The case has been referred to the disciplinary committee. Two doctors were absent in the first meeting held on 5^th February and all the doctors have been told to be present at the next hearing.