Kerala Enhances Surgical Protocols Following Alarming Incidents
Synopsis
In response to two shocking events where surgical instruments were left inside patients, Kerala’s Health Department has enacted strict new protocols to ensure safety and accountability in surgeries. Key measures include mandatory wristbands for patients and a thorough verification system to prevent future errors.
Key Takeaways
Kerala's Health Department has enacted strict new surgical protocols.
Mandatory wristbands will be used to display patient surgical information.
Mobile phone usage in operating theatres is banned.
All surgical instruments must be counted before and after procedures.
Pre-operative checklists are now mandatory for all surgeries.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 20 (NationPress) Kerala's healthcare system is taking decisive steps to rebuild trust following two alarming occurrences where surgical tools were inadvertently left inside the abdominal cavities of female patients during distinct operations. These consecutive mistakes have raised public alarm and led to immediate intervention from the Health Department.
In light of these events, the department has rolled out a thorough set of protocols designed to eradicate surgical mistakes and enhance accountability within all medical facilities.
A major requirement dictates that every patient must wear a wristband displaying complete surgical information.
Furthermore, the specific area of the body to be treated must be distinctly marked beforehand to prevent any confusion in the operating room.
The newly established protocols also strictly prohibit mobile phone usage in operating theatres, emphasizing the necessity for complete focus and adherence to sterile practices.
Notably, these regulations are applicable to all surgeries, regardless of their complexity, including both minor and major procedures.
A comprehensive pre-operative verification process is now obligatory.
Healthcare professionals are mandated to ensure that the patient's inpatient numbers and case files are accurately filled out.
The attending doctor and nurse must complete and sign a pre-operative checklist, which must then be reviewed and countersigned by the nursing officer responsible for the operating theatre.
The patient can only be transported for surgery after these protocols are fulfilled.
The guidelines place a strong focus on instrument accountability.
Hospitals are required to perform a meticulous count of all surgical tools and materials before and after every operation.
The names and quantities of tools must be displayed on a whiteboard before surgery and verified again post-operation, with the checklist submitted to the relevant authority.
Officials state that this new framework aims to clarify responsibilities, making it harder for oversights to occur or for blame to be shifted away.
In a notable case of medical negligence, a surgical scissor was discovered inside the abdomen of a 51-year-old woman nearly five years after she had a hysterectomy at Medical College Hospital in Alappuzha.
Usha Josephkutty, from Punnapra, underwent the procedure on May 10, 2021. Following the surgery, she experienced ongoing abdominal pain and episodes of blood in her urine. The source of her suffering went undetected for years until an X-ray, recommended by a urologist in February, revealed a Metzenbaum scissor lodged within her. The tool was subsequently extracted through an additional surgery in February, highlighting a significant failure in surgical protocol.
Kerala's initial widely reported case of a surgical instrument being left inside a patient occurred with Harshina, a resident of Kozhikode.
This incident took place on November 30, 2017, during her third Caesarean section at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, when a pair of surgical forceps was allegedly left in her abdomen. For years, she suffered from severe discomfort and complications until the instrument was finally identified and removed in September 2022.
Harshina continues to seek legal action, striving for accountability and justice for the extended suffering caused by this oversight.
Point of View
The recent surgical errors in Kerala underscore a critical need for rigorous medical protocols. The Health Department's swift actions to implement new guidelines reflect an understanding of the gravity of these incidents, aiming to restore public trust and enhance patient safety across the healthcare system.
NationPress
3 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What incidents prompted the new surgical protocols in Kerala?
Two alarming cases where surgical instruments were left inside patients during operations prompted the Kerala Health Department to implement new surgical protocols.
What are the key features of the new surgical guidelines?
The new guidelines include mandatory wristbands for patients, clear marking of surgical sites, and a stringent pre-operative verification process.
How will these protocols improve patient safety?
By enhancing accountability and ensuring thorough checks prior to surgeries, the new protocols aim to significantly reduce the risk of surgical errors.
Are these guidelines applicable to all types of surgeries?
Yes, the new norms apply uniformly to both minor and major surgeries performed in hospitals.
What happened to the patients involved in the incidents?
One patient suffered for nearly five years with a surgical scissor left inside her, while another endured severe complications from a surgical instrument left in her abdomen.
