Investigations after deaths: Anesthesist in the focus of the public prosecutor

Ermittlungen nach dem tödlichen Vorfall im Klinikum Kirchdorf: Ein Anästhesist steht wegen fahrlässiger Tötung unter Beschuldigung.
Investigations after the fatal incident in the Kirchdorf Clinic: An anesthetist is accused of negligent killing. (Symbolbild/DNAT)

Investigations after deaths: Anesthesist in the focus of the public prosecutor

The sudden deaths of two patients in the Kirchdorf Clinic have led to intensive investigations. The public prosecutor is investigating an anesthetist for grossly negligent killing. This was announced on Monday. The two men are said to have come to death due to the wrong dosage of medication. A toxicological report should now provide further information on the causes of death. The first results are expected to only be available in January, while the investigation is still in the beginning, as the authority confirmed. The accused doctor has not yet been interviewed and remains at large for the time being; However, he was released from his post and enjoyed the presumption of innocence, so the Today.at .

confidentiality in the medical field

The confidentiality of doctors is a central topic, especially when it comes to information about deceased patients. According to the Ärzteblatt cannot receive the family of a deceased about the treatment relationship, since this information is subject to the medical confidentiality. Even after the patient's death, this obligation remains, which means that doctors are not allowed to provide information about diagnoses or therapies even after the death, unless they can use the alleged will of the deceased. This ensures that personal information in medical treatment remains protected.

In the case of medical treatment errors or claims for damages, the heirs are entitled to inspection into the treatment documents. The patient's will must always be taken into account, which the doctors presents with difficult decisions. According to the applicable legal situation, doctors must, in case of doubt, consider whether the disclosure of information corresponds to the presumed will of the patient or not. This topic has received additional relevance in the current debate about the incidents in the Kirchdorf Clinic, since treatment errors and the question of deception of relatives could come up.

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OrtKlinikum Kirchdorf, 4560 Kirchdorf an der Krems, Österreich
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