Nursing student dies due to dexamethasone injection in Trichy government hospital
Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu: In the case of the death of a nursing college student who was undergoing surgery at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government General Hospital in Trichy, an expert panel has said that the drug ‘Dexamethasone’ could be responsible. The panel has also recommended checking its manufacturing quality.
In April, Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) had provided 4,000 vials of dexamethasone to Trichy Government Hospital alone. Of these, more than 3,500 vials have been used on patients, while about 300 vials are left in stock.
Dexamethasone is used during and after surgery to treat allergies and inflammation. However, serious heart problems have been reported in three patients after a particular batch of the drug was injected during surgery at a Trichy hospital.
Problems like rapid heart rate (tachyarrhythmia), weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), severe left ventricular dysfunction and cardiogenic shock have been seen in these patients. Cardiogenic shock is a dangerous condition caused by heart failure, in which sufficient blood does not reach the body parts.
The expert panel said that in this case, it is necessary to check the quality and batch of the medicine, so that it can be decided whether the medicine itself caused serious side effects and death or other reasons are also involved. The panel has directed the hospital administration and TNMSC to prepare a complete report in this regard and to keep all the remaining vials safe.
This case has raised concerns in the hospital and health department. Experts said that the quality and batch of medicines used during and after surgery should be strictly monitored to ensure the safety of patients.
The hospital administration said that the affected patients were immediately admitted to the emergency and cardiology department and given necessary treatment. The family of the deceased student is also being provided assistance by the administration.
Trichy Medical Services Department said that all medicines are regularly checked on quality, but in this particular case, the investigation is being done keeping in mind the possibility of a batch problem. Patients and their families have been assured that safety and treatment will be given top priority.
This incident has highlighted the seriousness of drug safety in hospitals and health management in Tamil Nadu. Experts say that in the coming times, the batch and manufacturing quality of medicines will be strictly monitored in all government hospitals.
