Guwahati: A blood transfusion error at the newly inaugurated Bongaigaon Medical College and Hospital (BMCH) has left a 56-year-old anaemia patient in the intensive care unit (ICU), prompting his family members and local residents to demand action against those responsible.The patient, Ram Prasad Bepari, a resident of Bongaigaon district, was administered O-positive blood instead of the required B-positive blood. Hospital authorities have ordered an inquiry.BMCH, Assam’s 17th medical college and hospital, was inaugurated by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma last week.BMCH principal Prof. (Dr) Herman Conrad Frank said Bepari was admitted to the hospital on Saturday evening for treatment of anaemia. “The patient had a B-positive blood group. A few minutes after the transfusion of O-positive blood began, a mismatch was detected. The transfusion was immediately stopped, within 10 minutes,” he said.“The patient is stable now. However, considering the circumstances of the incident, we decided to admit him to the ICU for observation,” Frank said.The principal said an inquiry team had been constituted to identify the stage at which the lapse occurred, including whether it was at the medical officer level, the blood bank or during the nursing process.The team includes a senior professor, the medical superintendent and the vice-principal of the institution.“The objective is not merely to determine who was at fault, but to identify the lapses and ensure that such mistakes are not repeated,” Frank said.Hospital authorities said statements from those concerned would be recorded by noon on Monday, after which the inquiry report would be forwarded to the higher authorities for further action.Doctors said transfusion of incompatible blood can be life-threatening, though O-positive blood given to a B-positive recipient may not necessarily cause concern. They cautioned that transfusion errors involving incompatible blood groups could trigger serious consequences.
