Hamburg doctor convicted: heart attack not recognized - patient died!

Hamburg doctor convicted: heart attack not recognized - patient died!

A Hamburg doctor was sentenced to a probation penalty of six months by the district court of Altona after he failed to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack in a 49-year-old patient. The tragic event occurred five years ago when the woman contacted the emergency service on August 19, 2020 shortly before midnight and complained about chest pain, which radiated into her upper arms and back. These symptoms were identified by an expert as clearly typical of a heart attack, but the 50-year-old doctor recommended that you take a pain reliever.

A few hours after the phone call with the doctor, the patient died - a terrible worsening that the doctor abatises with the argument that pain could have many causes and that the woman also did not give shortness of breath or an abrasion feeling. The experts vehemently contradicted these arguments, which explained that in such signs, a heart attack must always be assumed. Your opinion referred to the view that a timely examination or the use of an ambulance could have saved the patient's life with certainty. A serious accusation for the treating doctor, because the criminal assessment falls under Section 222 of the Criminal Code, which regulates the negligent killing and thus punishes the death of a person by means of mandatory behavior, as [Kanzlei Burgert] (https://kanzlei-burgert.de/straflklichtiblublichlichlichlich ((

The legal consequences

The case throws a light on the strict regulations in medical law, which ensure that doctors meet their duty of care. Every treatment error can not only end in a lengthy legal procedure, but also lead to serious professional consequences. In the event of a conviction for negligent killing, there is a risk of up to five years of imprisonment or fines, and the loss of the license to license is also a potential consequence of how [Anwalt.de] (https://www.ananwalt.de/rechtstipps/ Medicine Straf-Verswucht-der-fahrlaessigen-tung- against-aerzer-und-klinisches-fachpersonal-237247.html) emphasized.

negligent behavior is assumed when the appropriate care was disregarded, although the risk was recognizable. The case exemplifies what important role the correct diagnosis and communication play in a medical context. For example, diagnostic errors or failures in monitoring can have fatal consequences and are even pursued by the relatives under civil law if they are affected by a treatment error.

prevention measures for medical personnel

In order to avoid such incidents, regular advanced training and compliance with quality standards for medical staff should be required. Thorough documentation of all diagnoses and treatments is not only essential for the medical quality, but also to secure the skilled workers. The structural organization of emergency services also plays a critical role to be able to help patients quickly and efficiently.