Kerala to introduce medical audit to deal with negligence cases

In the wake of several complaints of medical negligence against state-run hospitals, the Kerala government on Friday said it will introduce medical audit in all of its hospitals to investigate such cases. 

The plan to implement a medical audit was revealed by state Health Minister Veena George, according to sources .

A medical audit is done by an expert committee to re-evaluate the treatment protocol given to a patient.

The minister said that all government medical colleges had a death audit but it was stopped in between.

Veena George said the World Health Organisation (WHO) also has a five-point checklist, cross-checking the medical care imparted in hospitals, especially in operation theatres. 

In recent weeks, several complaints regarding medical negligence have been raised in government hospitals, especially in Alappuzha and Kozhikode Medical Colleges.

The government has initiated an inquiry and action has been taken against doctors who were found guilty of negligence, the minister said.