Psychiatric patient died after a heart episode: Superintendent, Erragadda Institute of Mental Health

The patient Karan, was undergoing treatment in the hospital’s psychiatric ward. In the early hours of Tuesday he was found unresponsive by the staff. Immediately the duty doctors were informed, who attended to the patient and tried to resuscitate him, said Dr R Anitha

Hyderabad: The Superintendent of Institute of Mental Health, Erragadda, Dr R Anitha on Tuesday said that the psychiatric patient, Karan (30) who passed away in the hospital on Tuesday died of a heart episode.

“He was undergoing treatment in the hospital’s psychiatric ward. In the early hours of Tuesday he was found unresponsive by the staff. Immediately the duty doctors were informed, who attended to the patient and tried to resuscitate him. The patient could not be resuscitated and was declared dead due to cardiopulmonary arrest,” Dr Anitha said.

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“The deceased patient did not complain of loose motions or gastrointestinal symptoms prior to the incident. Based on clinical signs, it is presumed that the patient may have developed bronchopneumonia, which might have led to cardiopulmonary arrest,” the Superintendent said.

The Superintendent said that a total of 35 psychiatric inpatients complained of loose motions, suggestive of a possible food-related gastrointestinal upset. “All patients were promptly examined and started on symptomatic and supportive treatment by the duty medical officers. No severe complications were noted and all patients are currently stable and under observation. No further admissions with similar symptoms have been reported thereafter,” Dr Anitha said.

Food and water sources have been sent to microbiological testing, and necessary preventive and hygienic measures have been reinforced within the hospital premises, the Dr Anitha added.