Leaving surgical tool inside Usha Joseph's abdomen: Expert committee to find error scientifically; case sheet in custody

ALAPPUZHA: An expert team will be formed to scientifically prove the mistake of leaving an artery forceps in Usha Joseph's stomach during surgery at Vandanam Medical College. The case will be investigated based on information from the District Medical Officer, District Government Pleader, forensic expert, senior doctor from the department related to surgery, etc. The investigation team will write a letter to the Alappuzha District Medical Officer today.

Others will be charged based on the report provided by the expert team on who was at fault for forgetting the surgical instrument and not being able to find it. The investigation team has taken Usha Joseph's case sheet and medical records into custody. The forceps collected from a private hospital in Kochi the other day will be produced in court today. The investigation team has also collected Usha Joseph's medical records from the medical record library. The investigation is being led by Ambalapuzha DySP KN Rajesh.

Dr. Lalithambika not involved

There are indications that former department head Dr. Lalithambika had no direct involvement in Usha Joseph's surgery. This is in the documents obtained by the police from the medical college. Lalithambika was the department head. The information about those who led the surgery and treatment is in the medical records and discharge summary. The investigation team has received this information as well. The surgery in 2021 was supervised by Dr Shahida, an Associate Professor at SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, and then an Assistant Professor at Alappuzha. P.S. Dhanya, who was part of the team, is a Grade 1 Nursing Officer at Alappuzha Medical College.