Cuttack: Three outsourced employees have been terminated and seven nursing staff members have been served show-cause notices at SCB Medical College and Hospital following unauthorized Holi celebrations in the trauma ICU. The incident, which took place on March 15, came to light after a video of staff members playing with colours in the intensive care unit went viral on social media.
The hospital administration launched an immediate investigation after facing public outrage over the incident. CCTV footage was reviewed, and staff members on duty, including doctors, nurses, attendants, housekeeping personnel, and security guards, were questioned.
“Based on prima facie evidence, we have terminated three outsourced staff — two attendants and one security guard. Show-cause notices have been issued to seven nursing staff members, and we have sought a report from the head of the department of trauma care,” said Subash Ray, registrar, SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Ray emphasized that such behaviour would not be tolerated in a critical care environment. “Hospitals are places where patients expect care and safety. Such negligence and unprofessional conduct in a trauma ICU are unacceptable,” he said.
The hospital administration has promised to strengthen protocols and guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future. Further action will be determined once the department head submits the report.
The incident has raised serious concerns about professional conduct and patient safety in critical care units, particularly as the celebrations took place in an area where several critical patients were undergoing treatment.