Patient identity mix-up at trauma centre turns fatal

 

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By Sagaya Fernando | April 17, 2026

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: A 71-year-old woman died after doctors at the trauma centre of Banaras Hindu University allegedly operated on her by mistake instead of another patient, exposing serious lapses in patient identification protocols.

Radhika Devi, a resident of Ballia district, had been admitted to the trauma centre for surgery related to a spinal tumour. However, on March 7, she was mistakenly taken to the operation theatre in place of 82-year-old Radhika Singh, who had been admitted for a hip replacement surgery.

According to hospital records, Radhika Singh was admitted under the orthopaedics department in bed number 17, while Radhika Devi was admitted under the neuro department in bed number 29. Despite the difference in departments and bed allocations, the mix-up allegedly occurred when Radhika Devi was wheeled into the operation theatre.

After administering anaesthesia, the orthopaedic surgical team reportedly began the procedure. The error came to light only when the doctors failed to find the expected complication at the operative site. Nursing staff then informed the surgeons that the wrong patient had been brought into the theatre.

Doctors immediately halted the procedure, closed the incision and sent Radhika Devi back to the ward. Her family was allegedly not informed about the mistaken surgery at the time.

Radhika Devi later underwent surgery for her spinal tumour on March 18 by the neuro department. However, she developed multiple complications following the procedures and died on March 28.

The incident came to light after her grandson, Mrityunjay Pal, lodged a formal complaint with the director of the Institute of Medical Sciences, Prof. S.N. Sankhwar.

Following the complaint, a four-member inquiry committee was constituted. However, objections were raised after the panel was initially headed by a doctor from the same orthopaedic department involved in the erroneous surgery. The committee chairman was later replaced to ensure a fair investigation.

Prof. Sankhwar confirmed that the chairman had been changed to ensure an unbiased probe. Trauma centre in-charge Prof. Saurabh Singh said a report had been submitted to the authorities but declined to share further details, citing the ongoing inquiry.

The incident has raised serious concerns over patient safety and alleged negligence at the BHU trauma centre, with preliminary findings suggesting that patient identification protocols were not properly followed.