‘Overzealous ayah’ accidentally switches newborns at KGH, doctors correct goof-up

Alleged mix-up of babies at King George Hospital quickly resolved by doctors, no tension in hospital.

The alleged overzealousness of an ayah almost ended in two infants getting mixed up after birth, at King George Hospital (KGH) on Wednesday.

Doctors and staff quickly realised the error, and before long the babies were handed over to their respective mothers.

Two women, who had to undergo C-section delivery, were taken to the operation theatre one after the other. As the surgeons were preparing to conduct the C-section on the first woman, the second woman developed complications and she was operated upon first. She gave birth to a baby girl. The patient was fully conscious, and the baby was put on her chest for the first touch. Then the baby was put beside the mother and the doctors and staff took pictures of the baby and the mother, inside the OT, as is the usual practice.

Meanwhile, the same procedure was followed for the other patient as well. An ayah, who was in the OT, handed over one baby to the other mother, causing confusion. The doctors on duty apprised the Superintendent of the issue later in the day.

“Upon getting the information, I rushed to the ward. The ayah was not supposed to hand over the baby to the mother. It should be done by the on-duty nursing staff. The doctors and nurses had quickly identified that a mistake had happened and took corrective action. I formed a seven-member team to inquire into the incident. I have also sought a written explanation from those responsible for the breach in Standard Operating Procedure (SOP),” Dr. P. Sivananda, Superintendent, told The Hindu on Thursday.

“There is clear evidence as photographs of the babies with their mothers was taken immediately after birth. Both the women were fully conscious during the surgery as anaesthesia was given only to the spine. They were shown their respective babies immediately after the surgery and both of them are aware of it,” Dr. Sivananda said.

“Both the women are now with their respective babies. There is no truth in social media reports that there was tension in the hospital. Some vested interests are trying to bring disrepute to the hospital,” he added.