Patient Breaks Out Of MRI Machine After Hospital Staff Allegedly Forgets Him Inside

In a case of negligence, a patient broke out of an MRI machine after the hospital staff conducting the scan allegedly forgot him inside. The incident took place in the Indian state of Haryana on Sunday evening.

Ramhar Lohan, 59, went to a civil hospital to undergo an MRI scan for a dislocated shoulder. The hospital staff informed him the test would take 15 minutes and asked him to remain inside it till such time. However, when he was not removed even after half an hour, he started feeling suffocated and uneasy. Unable to bear it anymore, Lohan got out of the machine by breaking the belt around his waist.

Speaking to local publication India Today, Lohan said, “The staff which was conducting my MRI scan had told me that it will take only 10 to 15 minutes. But when they did not remove me for more than 30 minutes I started crying. Nobody responded. Nobody was in the machine room when I was struggling to come out. The machine was overheating and I was feeling suffocated. I tried to release myself but I was tied to the machine with belt. When I noticed that if I did not come out of the machine I may die, I made last attempt and was able to broke the belt.”

Lohan filed a police complaint and has also demanded strict action against the hospital staff. He has also asked for a copy of the CCTV footage of the center and has threatened to sue the hospital.

Speaking to local daily the Hindu, Station House Officer Rajiv Miglani said, “A departmental probe is underway. There are CCTV footages available, and once the department’s report on the matter is completed, action will be taken if anyone is found guilty.”

Meanwhile, Amit Khokhar, the in charge of the MRI center denied the allegations.

"The technician had to take a last three minute sequence. It was during the last two minutes when the patient panicked. He was not stable and was advised to remain in the machine," Khokhar said.