The General Inspectorate of Health Activities (IGAS) said on Tuesday it had begun the process of verifying the circumstances of the death of a user wearing a green bracelet at the Viana do Castelo hospital.
In a written response to a request for clarification from the Lusa agency, IGAS on Monday confirmed “the beginning of a procedural investigation,” anticipating “its completion in the shortest possible time.”
On May 17, a 57-year-old man died in the emergency department of Santa Luzia Hospital, about seven hours after being assigned a green bracelet during triage for less urgent situations that can wait 120 minutes for care.
On June 11, the local health department of Alto Minho (ULSAM) said the investigation opened after the death of a patient wearing a green bracelet had been archived at the suggestion of an instructor who concluded that there were no allegations of care “worthy of any censorship.”
“The investigator of the investigation process has concluded that, having carried out a critical analysis of all the elements collected, no indication has been found that the maintenance and monitoring of the user (…) on May 17, 2024 deserves any censure from any professional of the Santa Luzia Hospital in Viana do Castelo,” the ULSAM press release states.
According to a progress report from the investigation, which began May 21 and ended May 27, the instructor “proposed archiving the files, which was accepted and approved by the ULSAM board of directors.”
“The Board of Directors of ULSAM therefore understands, without prejudice to what may arise from a lawsuit that complies with its terms, that the care of the user in the emergency service at Santa Luzia Hospital […] who unfortunately passed away, a situation which we regret occurred in accordance with good clinical practice and the rules of the applicable “legis” “artis”, the note adds.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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