Austrian surgeon amputates wrong leg
An Austrian surgeon has been fined €2,700 for gross negligence after she amputated the wrong leg of a patient.
A spokesperson for the tribunal in the northern city of Linz confirmed the decision on Wednesday.
While the 43-year-old defendant said her actions were due to "human error", the judge found her guilty of gross negligence and fined her €2,700 ($3,060), with half the amount suspended, the spokesperson said.
READ ALSO: How the Austrian healthcare system works
The surgeon had marked the wrong leg of the 82-year-old patient for amputation ahead of the operation in May in the central town of Freistadt, only noticing the mistake two days after carrying out the surgery.
The court awarded €5,000 euros in damages plus interest to the widow of the patient, who died before the case came to court.
The surgeon said there had been a flaw in the chain of control in the operating theatre. She has since moved to another clinic and can appeal the judgement.
The management of the institution involved said in a statement that "the causes and circumstances of this medical error have been analysed in detail", internal procedures discussed with the team and training provided.
Comments
See Also
A spokesperson for the tribunal in the northern city of Linz confirmed the decision on Wednesday.
While the 43-year-old defendant said her actions were due to "human error", the judge found her guilty of gross negligence and fined her €2,700 ($3,060), with half the amount suspended, the spokesperson said.
READ ALSO: How the Austrian healthcare system works
The surgeon had marked the wrong leg of the 82-year-old patient for amputation ahead of the operation in May in the central town of Freistadt, only noticing the mistake two days after carrying out the surgery.
The court awarded €5,000 euros in damages plus interest to the widow of the patient, who died before the case came to court.
The surgeon said there had been a flaw in the chain of control in the operating theatre. She has since moved to another clinic and can appeal the judgement.
The management of the institution involved said in a statement that "the causes and circumstances of this medical error have been analysed in detail", internal procedures discussed with the team and training provided.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.