A doctor at the Singapore General Hospital has been fined for administering a patient's chemotherapy incorrectly, which could have very well resulted in severe neurological damage.
At a disciplinary tribunal held by the Singapore Medical Council, 32-year-old Dr. Garuna Murthee Kavitha was found to have administered the drug intrathecally instead of intravenously to a patient who was facing a relapse of lymphoma.
For you non-medical types, the doctor injected the drug into a membrane of the spinal cord instead of injecting it into a vein.
The incident occurred in July 2012, and the tribunal found Dr. Kavitha guilty of professional misconduct after administering the drug without checking on the chemotherapy order form first.
In mitigation, the doctor's counsel highlighted that she disclosed the error immediately and never shield away from accepting responsibility. Strong testimonials from her superiors, colleagues and feedback from the family of the affected patient also attested to her admirable qualities as a medical practitioner, human being and friend.
She disciplinary tribunal determined that she be fined a penalty of $2,000 and be censured, as well as give a written undertaking to the Singapore Medical Council that she will not repeat the same mistake again.
Photo: Phil and Pam Gradwell (to be) via Flickr
A doctor at the Singapore General Hospital has been fined for administering a patient's chemotherapy incorrectly, which could have very well resulted in severe neurological damage.
At a disciplinary tribunal held by the Singapore Medical Council, 32-year-old Dr. Garuna Murthee Kavitha was found to have administered the drug intrathecally instead of intravenously to a patient who was facing a relapse of lymphoma.
For you non-medical types, the doctor injected the drug into a membrane of the spinal cord instead of injecting it into a vein.
The incident occurred in July 2012, and the tribunal found Dr. Kavitha guilty of professional misconduct after administering the drug without checking on the chemotherapy order form first.
In mitigation, the doctor's counsel highlighted that she disclosed the error immediately and never shield away from accepting responsibility. Strong testimonials from her superiors, colleagues and feedback from the family of the affected patient also attested to her admirable qualities as a medical practitioner, human being and friend.
She disciplinary tribunal determined that she be fined a penalty of $2,000 and be censured, as well as give a written undertaking to the Singapore Medical Council that she will not repeat the same mistake again.
Photo: Phil and Pam Gradwell (to be) via Flickr