Amadora Cinta Hospital takes disciplinary action against surgeons for ‘poor surgical option’

The Fernando Fonseca Hospital (HFF) has determined the initiation of disciplinary procedures for surgeons who have engaged in a surgical act marked as a “bad surgical option” in an expert report conducted by the Doctors’ Order, the hospital reported this Thursday to the Lusa agency.

According to the hospital, which serves the population of the municipalities of Amadora and Sintra, the investigation, which it launched immediately after receiving complaints about the work of the General Surgery Service, has already been completed.

In a statement sent to the agency Lusa, HFF said that the conclusions of the survey conducted by the institution are fully consistent with the findings of the medical examination requested by the Ordem dos Médicos (OM).

The hospital emphasizes that “the report of the Medical Association – an organization with full capacity and impartiality to assess the complaints under consideration from a technical point of view – removes the general suspicion that has hung over the General Surgery Service since January 13 last year, when the public disclosure of reports of alleged cases of surgical negligence.

“This review concluded that there was no evidence of widespread malpractice or violation of ‘leges artis’ (good medical practice, according to current scientific knowledge) in the reported cases,” he stresses.

According to the hospital, among the situations assessed, a situation was identified in which it can be considered that “the wrong surgical option was chosen, which can lead to poor practice.” [citação retirada do relatório pericial da OM]”, a situation that the hospital publicly regrets and which it says it will seek to fully clarify in cooperation with the competent authorities.

In a video message sent to Luce, HFF Clinical Director Ana Valverde says the medical examiner who collaborated with the hospital on the investigation concluded that the case may represent “bad practice.”

“The hospital sincerely regrets the situation and, as mentioned earlier, the investigation has been taken to the extreme and, therefore, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated” against the surgeons involved in the surgical action listed in the expert opinion on the responsibility of the Order of Physicians.

Ana Valverde notes that these processes will allow participating surgeons to prepare their defense, stressing that there are still no findings that would allow us to specify the final responsibilities of any of the specialists involved.

“In healthcare, we face situations of complicated and advanced diseases every day, but we have absolute confidence in the specialists of our hospital, who every day do their best in accordance with best medical practice,” emphasizes the person in charge.

According to Ana Valverde, the conclusions of the hospital examination have already been sent to all competent authorities, namely the General Inspectorate for Health Activities (IGAS), the Health Regulatory Authority (ERS), the Ministry of Health (MP), the Ministry of Health and the Doctor’s Order.

More than 17,900 surgeries were performed at HFF in 2022, the hospital said in a statement, which says it is committed to providing users with quality and safe care, and that “possible setbacks, no matter how minor, are taken seriously.” and responsibility.”

At the moment, he emphasizes, “taking into account the results of the survey, it is necessary to ensure the restoration of the good name of the FSF and all those who daily carry out their professional activities in this institution, in particular, the specialists of the General Surgery Service.”

Ana Valverde stresses that the hospital’s professionals deserve to have “their work appreciated and trusted by all” and appreciates “expressions of support and affection from all users and the community as a whole.”