# Column1 Location Incident Impact Prevention Reference
1 Libby Zion Case (1984) New York, USA Libby Zion, an 18-year-old college student, was admitted to New York Hospital for a fever and agitation. She was given a combination of medications that had a dangerous interaction, leading to a fatal cardiac arrest. The case led to questions about resident work hours, supervision, and fatigue-related errors. The case resulted in the New York State laws that limited the working hours of resident physicians to prevent errors due to fatigue. Training simulators focusing on drug interactions and fatigue management could have mitigated this. Lerner BH, The Good Doctor: A Father, a Daughter, and the Evolution of Medical Ethics.
2 Jesica Santillan Case (2003) Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina, USA Jesica Santillan, a 17-year-old girl, underwent a heart-lung transplant surgery. However, the medical team failed to match her blood type with that of the donor organs, resulting in organ rejection. Despite a second transplant attempt, she passed away due to brain damage caused by the error. The case highlighted the importance of procedural checks in organ transplants and led to changes in donor matching protocols. Better simulation for organ transplantation protocols and decision-making could have highlighted the need for strict matching verification. Annas GJ, "The Patient’s Right to Safety—Improving the Quality of Care through Litigation against Hospitals," The New England Journal of Medicine, 2003.
3 Paul Lozano Case (2012) California, USA Paul Lozano underwent a laparoscopic gallbladder removal procedure, during which the surgeon accidentally punctured his aorta. The surgeon did not recognize the injury, and it led to excessive internal bleeding. Lozano died a few days after the surgery. The case brought attention to the risks of laparoscopic surgeries and the importance of identifying intraoperative complications early. Surgical simulators with realistic anatomy and emergency handling could have trained surgeons on recognizing such complications early. California Department of Public Health, Case Investigation Report on Paul Lozano, 2012.
4 Joan Rivers Case (2014) Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic, New York, USA Comedian Joan Rivers died following a routine endoscopy procedure. During the procedure, Rivers suffered complications leading to a lack of oxygen to her brain, resulting in cardiac arrest and ultimately death. Investigations revealed issues with how her airway was managed, along with a lack of timely emergency intervention. The case emphasized the need for careful patient monitoring during routine procedures, especially in outpatient settings. Surgical simulators could have trained staff in advanced airway management techniques. "Joan Rivers Death: Yorkville Endoscopy Center Faulted in Care," The New York Times, 2014.
5 Ben Kolb Case (1995) Florida, USA 7-year-old Ben Kolb was undergoing routine ear surgery when the wrong drug was injected, leading to his death. The anesthesiologist administered a highly concentrated local anesthetic instead of the intended drug. It was later found that the medication had been improperly labeled. This incident led to stricter protocols for drug labeling and administration in operating rooms. Medication simulation training could have provided healthcare workers with real-time checks on correct drug administration. "Surgery Mix-Up Killed Boy," Orlando Sentinel, 1995.
6 Elaine Bromiley Case (2005) Royal Berkshire Hospital, UK Elaine Bromiley, a healthy 37-year-old woman, died following a routine sinus surgery when the surgical team failed to manage her airway. The anesthesiologist was unable to intubate or ventilate her effectively, which resulted in a preventable death. Elaine Bromiley’s husband, Martin Bromiley, an airline pilot, initiated reforms in how medical staff manage critical situations, adopting practices from the aviation industry like simulation training for crisis management. An airway management simulator would have improved the surgical team’s crisis-handling skills. Bromiley M, "Have You Ever Made a Mistake?" Clinical Risk, 2008.
7 Dennis Quaid Twins Heparin Overdose (2007) Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA Dennis Quaid’s newborn twins were given an adult dose of the blood-thinning drug Heparin instead of a pediatric dose. The overdose nearly caused fatal bleeding in both twins, although they eventually recovered. This case drew significant attention to medication safety in hospitals, particularly around labeling and dosage protocols for pediatric patients. Medication administration simulators could have provided extra verification steps. Gaba DM, "Human Error in Medicine: Lessons from Aviation," Anesthesia & Analgesia, 2011.
8 Sushil Kumar Gupta Case (2016) Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi Sushil Kumar Gupta, a 40-year-old man, died after a botched surgery for the removal of his gallbladder. The hospital faced allegations of negligence as Gupta's condition deteriorated after surgery, and the medical staff failed to provide timely critical care. The hospital was accused of negligence, and this case drew attention to the need for better postoperative care and transparency in private hospitals in India. Surgical simulators with postoperative complication management training could have ensured timely intervention. "Family of Man Who Died in Fortis Alleges Negligence," Hindustan Times, 2016.
9 Anuradha Saha Case (1998) AMRI Hospital, Kolkata Anuradha Saha, the wife of US-based doctor Kunal Saha, was admitted to AMRI Hospital for the treatment of drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis (a severe skin condition). However, due to incorrect treatment and drug overdose, her condition worsened, leading to her death. Dr. Saha filed a lawsuit, leading to one of the highest compensation payouts in Indian medical history. This case brought massive public attention to medical negligence and set a precedent for high compensation for medical malpractice. The court awarded the Saha family compensation of around ₹11 crore, making it one of the highest compensations for medical negligence in India. Simulators focusing on drug dosing and rare skin conditions like toxic epidermal necrolysis could have helped prevent the error. "Supreme Court Orders Rs 11.5 Crore Compensation in Anuradha Saha Death Case," The Times of India, 2013.
10 Uday Tewari Case (2016) Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon Uday Tewari, a 24-year-old student, underwent a spine surgery to treat back pain. Unfortunately, the procedure went wrong when the medical team allegedly operated on the wrong side of the spine, leading to paralysis and eventual death. The family accused the hospital of medical negligence. The case raised concerns about negligence during surgery and led to widespread media coverage questioning accountability in healthcare practices. Better pre-surgical planning and simulation for spinal surgeries could have avoided the error. "Family Alleges Medical Negligence at Medanta," India Today, 2016.
11 Dr. Rajan Sharma Case (2001) AIIMS, New Delhi Dr. Rajan Sharma, a young orthopedic surgeon, died after undergoing a routine knee surgery at AIIMS. A fatal medical error occurred when excessive anesthesia was administered, resulting in cardiac arrest. This incident raised concerns about the quality of anesthetic management in surgeries. The case received attention due to the hospital's prominent status and led to discussions about improving patient safety standards in India. Simulation-based training for anesthesiologists on correct dosing and intraoperative monitoring would have reduced risks. "Anesthesia Overdose Blamed for Death of Doctor During Surgery," The Hindu, 2001.
12 Savita Halappanavar Case (2012) Galway University Hospital, Ireland (Savita was originally from Karnataka, India) Although the error occurred in Ireland, the case of Savita Halappanavar, an Indian-origin dentist, is significant due to its global impact and association with Indian medical practices. She died from septicemia after being denied an abortion during a miscarriage, as per Irish law. The case sparked a debate on medical ethics, religious practices, and the rights of pregnant women. Savita's death led to widespread protests and changes in Ireland's abortion laws, and the case was widely discussed in India due to its relevance to women's health rights and medical ethics. Simulators focused on pregnancy-related complications and ethical decision-making could have helped prevent the tragic outcome. "Savita Halappanavar's Death Sparks Protests in India," The Indian Express, 2012.
13 Kalpana Patil Case (2014) Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai Kalpana Patil, a 44-year-old woman, underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy at Bhatia Hospital. Post-surgery, her condition worsened due to internal bleeding, which was not detected in time. Despite multiple follow-up procedures, she succumbed to the complications. The hospital was accused of negligence in monitoring the patient's postoperative condition. The incident prompted discussions about the importance of vigilant postoperative care in hospitals and led to scrutiny of private hospital protocols. Post-surgery care simulations could have highlighted early signs of bleeding. "Family Alleges Negligence in Woman’s Death After Surgery," Mumbai Mirror, 2014.
14 Varsha Deshpande Case (2019) Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune Varsha Deshpande, a 46-year-old woman, died after undergoing knee replacement surgery. During the procedure, she suffered a fatal cardiac arrest, which her family claimed was due to improper anesthesia management and lack of immediate emergency response. The case led to widespread media coverage and highlighted the importance of anesthesiologist expertise during surgeries. It also sparked debates on accountability in private healthcare facilities. Simulation training for anesthesiologists could have helped in detecting early signs of anesthesia-related issues. "Pune Woman Dies After Knee Surgery; Family Blames Hospital," The Times of India, 2019.
15 Nagesh Rane Case (2011) Mumbai, Maharashtra Nagesh Rane, a 48-year-old businessman, underwent a laparoscopic surgery for kidney stone removal at a private hospital. During the procedure, his ureter was accidentally punctured, leading to sepsis and multiple organ failure. The family alleged that the hospital failed to recognize the complications early and provide proper postoperative care. The case highlighted the risks associated with laparoscopic surgeries and led to discussions about better preoperative planning and surgical team communication. Urological surgery simulators would have trained the surgeon to avoid critical anatomy. "Family Accuses Hospital of Medical Negligence After Businessman's Death," The Times of India, 2011.
16 Laxman Chauhan Case (2018)  Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai (Sion Hospital) Laxman Chauhan, a 30-year-old patient, was undergoing a minor surgery to remove a tumor from his leg. During the surgery, it was alleged that a power outage in the hospital led to complications, and inadequate backup systems delayed the procedure, resulting in cardiac arrest. He died soon after. This case raised concerns about infrastructure issues in public hospitals and the need for better emergency preparedness, especially in critical situations where equipment is life-saving. Simulations focusing on emergency power outages and critical backup plans during surgery would have been beneficial. "Surgery in Dark: Patient Dies at Sion Hospital During Power Outage," Mumbai Mirror, 2018.
17 Amit Singh Case (2019) Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Bihar Amit Singh, a 35-year-old man, underwent an appendectomy at PMCH. During the surgery, the doctors accidentally severed his intestines. Post-surgery, he developed severe complications, including septicemia, and died due to multiple organ failure. The family filed a case against the hospital for negligence and demanded justice. The case drew public attention to the conditions of government hospitals in India and the importance of surgical precision and postoperative care. Detailed anatomical simulators for appendectomies could have helped avoid surgical mistakes. "Patient Dies After Appendectomy Gone Wrong, Family Blames PMCH Doctors," The Hindu, 2019.
18  Sangeeta Bhagat Case (2016) Bangalore, Karnataka Sangeeta Bhagat, a 38-year-old woman, was undergoing a cesarean section when a surgical error led to excessive internal bleeding. The medical staff did not address the bleeding promptly, leading to cardiac arrest and death. The family sued the hospital for negligence. This incident highlighted the risks associated with maternal surgeries and led to calls for better monitoring of high-risk patients during childbirth. Maternal surgical simulators could have trained the team on how to handle high-risk C-sections. "Hospital Blamed for Botched C-Section Leading to Woman’s Death," Bangalore Mirror, 2016.
19 Puneet Kaur Case (2017) Ludhiana, Punjab Puneet Kaur, a 25-year-old woman, died following complications from a botched laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. The doctors reportedly failed to properly remove the gallbladder, leaving parts behind, which later led to a massive infection. Despite follow-up procedures, Puneet’s condition worsened, and she passed away due to septicemia. The case led to widespread calls for stricter checks on the quality of care in smaller, private hospitals and better oversight of surgical procedures. Simulators focused on laparoscopic anatomy and handling postoperative infections could have helped. "Family Alleges Negligence as Young Woman Dies After Botched Surgery," The Tribune, 2017.
20 Ravi Shankar Case (2015) Fortis Hospital, Noida Ravi Shankar, a 52-year-old patient, underwent heart surgery at Fortis Hospital in Noida. The surgery was reported to have been successful, but a critical postoperative error occurred when he developed internal bleeding due to an undetected leak near the surgical site. The hospital staff failed to respond to the complication in time, leading to his death. The case led to public outcry and investigations into postoperative care practices at prominent private hospitals. It also triggered debates about accountability in corporate healthcare. Simulated postoperative complication management could have ensured earlier detection of internal bleeding. "Post-Heart Surgery Death Sparks Negligence Allegations Against Hospital," The Times of India, 2015.
21 Santosh Rathore Case (2021) Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur Santosh Rathore, a 42-year-old patient, died following a failed appendectomy at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Nagpur. The surgical team allegedly operated on the wrong side of his abdomen, and this oversight was only realized after his condition worsened. He developed severe complications post-surgery and passed away a few days later. This incident triggered public outcry and calls for better surgical training and increased accountability in government healthcare institutions. Pre-surgery simulation-based training on anatomical accuracy could have avoided the error. "Man Dies After Appendectomy Error: Nagpur Hospital Under Scrutiny," Nagpur Today, 2021.
22 Vaishali Rathod Case (2012) Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Vaishali Rathod, a 28-year-old woman, died after complications arose during a routine tubectomy (sterilization) procedure. The surgeon reportedly perforated her bowel during the procedure, which led to severe infection and eventual death. The family filed a case of medical negligence against the hospital. The case highlighted concerns over the quality of care in government sterilization camps and the risks associated with these procedures when performed in high-volume, low-resource settings. Surgical simulation training for handling sterilization procedures could have helped. "Woman Dies After Tubectomy at Civil Hospital: Family Alleges Medical Negligence," The Indian Express, 2012.
23 Baby Khushi Case (2018) SRN Hospital, Allahabad In a heartbreaking incident, a newborn named Khushi died after a botched pediatric surgery at SRN Hospital, Allahabad. The infant was undergoing surgery for a congenital heart defect. The family alleged that the hospital’s failure to provide adequate postoperative care and improper handling of the surgery led to the baby’s demise. This case led to an investigation into the hospital's surgical procedures and called for increased oversight of pediatric surgeries in government hospitals. Pediatric surgery simulators could have trained staff for better care in high-risk surgeries. "Newborn Dies After Surgery at SRN Hospital, Family Alleges Negligence," The Times of India, 2018.
24 Pratibha Sharma Case (2013) Jaipur, Rajasthan Pratibha Sharma, a 35-year-old woman, died following a hysterectomy procedure at a private hospital in Jaipur. It was found that her bladder was accidentally punctured during the surgery, leading to severe complications. The error was not immediately identified, and she succumbed to septicemia a few days later. The case highlighted issues in postoperative monitoring and led to calls for improved surgeon training, especially in smaller, private hospitals. Simulation training in gynecological surgeries could have enhanced anatomical awareness. "Bladder Punctured During Hysterectomy: Woman Dies of Septicemia," The Rajasthan Post, 2013.
25 Vinayak Trivedi Case (2018) Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, India A man died after a liver transplant due to unnoticed internal bleeding. Simulators for liver surgery and postoperative monitoring could have caught the bleeding earlier. The Hindu, 2018.