A female patient who lost her legs at the knees, her right arm and left hand, is suing Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and two of its doctors for negligence for S$8 million.

Sarina Kaur, 51, claims that in 2012, the doctor proceeded with an elective (also known as non-emergency) procedure without properly informing her of test results, which showed she had an infection that subsequently led to blood poisoning and the loss of her limbs.

The case

Kaur had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis by SGH about 25 years ago.

She was also found to have vesico-ureteric reflux in 2008, a condition that caused her urine to flow back from the bladder to her kidney, with a recurring urinary tract infection (UTI).

In 2012, she was referred to SGH's Dr Ng Lay Guat, who recommended a deflux procedure as treatment for vesico-ureteric reflux, which was scheduled for Nov. 20, 2012.

However, on Nov. 17, 2012, three days before her scheduled procedure, pre-admission test results showed Kaur's urine had multi-resistant Escherichia Coli bacteria.

Kaur alleges that Dr Ng did not inform her of the infection and proceeded with the surgery.

In the statement of claim filed with the High Court on Wednesday, Dr Ng had allegedly told Kaur that the procedure "was simple, straightforward and low-risk".

Dr Ng gave Kaur an injection of a broad-spectrum antibiotic before the treatment, with instructions for a daily dose starting the day after the procedure.

But on the same night after the procedure, Kaur developed a high fever of 38.7 degree Celsius.

Dr Du Jingzeng, the medical officer on duty, diagnosed "likely sepsis" or blood poisoning, but did not call in a more senior doctor.

The next morning, during ward rounds, Dr Ng and her team did an ultrasound scan and found Kaur's right kidney was swollen.

They did not, "in accordance with standard management" relieve the swelling and/or obstruction in the kidney, drain the infected urine, or effectively treat the infection, court papers said.

Later that day, Kaur's fever rose to 39.3 degrees Celsius.

She was moved to intensive care that evening as she was in "severe septic shock".

Over the next several days, the infection eventually led to multiple and critical complications, including respiratory distress, multi-organ failure and gangrene in all four limbs.

As a result, her limbs had to be amputated.

On Dec. 1, both legs were cut off at the knee.

On Jan. 7, 2013, both hands were amputated.

On Jan. 31, the right forearm had to be cut off.

On Oct. 11 and Dec. 3, further treatment was needed to remove dead tissue on her left forearm stump.

Kaur is arguing that Dr Ng should have treated the infection before doing the procedure, which could have been postponed.

She is seeking over S$8 million from the hospital to cover future medical expenses and the cost of prostheses.

SGH is in the spotlight recently after 23 patients were infected with the Hepatitis C renal viral infection. Eight passed away with five of the deaths possibly linked to the infection.

The Ministry of Health announced on Oct. 6 that it convened an independent Review Committee to look into this, and its findings will be made public in two months' time.

H/T The Straits Times, Today

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