'Expired' IV fluid issue: Initial report of probe panel indicates 'human error'

The preliminary report filed by an expert committee indicated that "human error" and side effects of "other medicines" led to the death of a woman and three others falling critically ill after childbirth in a West Bengal hospital allegedly due to the administration of "expired" fluid, a health department source said on Monday. In the report, the experts also hinted that the Ringer's Lactate (RL) on the Intravenous (IV) fluid allegedly administered to the four women could have a "little role" in deteriorating the health conditions of the five women, he added.

A copy of the initial report on the incident, that occurred in the state-run Medinipur Medical College and Hospital (MMCG) recently, was submitted to Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Monday.

"Initial findings indicated human error. There were other lapses too that led to the mishap. The administration of the RL may have a little role in it. There seem to be some procedural faults in the administration of the Oxytocin injection to these patients," the source told PTI.


Oxytocin injection is generally used to improve contractions during labour pain besides reducing bleeding after childbirth.

The report also stated that none of the seniors who were supposed to be on duty at that time at MMCH were present and those delivery cases were handled only by trainee medics.

"The RL of the same batch was administered on other patients as well, but only these four women fell ill. So, contamination from that fluid could be ruled out. However, we are waiting for the final report from the drug control unit," he said.

A woman died and four others were critical after the delivery of babies at the MMCH allegedly due to the administration of expired intravenous fluid, prompting the health department to constitute the 13-member committee to investigate the matter.

Three of the four women, who fell critically ill, were shifted to Kolkata and admitted to SSKM hospital around 11 pm on Sunday.