A child has lost their life at the Children's Clinical University Hospital (BKUS), possibly due to the error of medical personnel, Latvian Television reported on 9th December.
As reported by Latvian Television, on 26th November, an oncology patient being treated at BKUS was given the wrong medication. This mistake was fatal – the child died. Zane Straume, a member of the board of the Children's Hospital, acknowledged: "I can confirm that on 26th November, a high-risk patient safety incident occurred."
The hospital did not disclose the circumstances of the incident, nor whether the specific medical professional is still working there.
"We are investigating this case internally within the patient safety system. We will cooperate with both the Health Inspectorate and the State Police, as a result of which we cannot disclose any data or facts about this case at this time, and we are also restricted by the Patient Rights Law and the Data Processing and Personal Data Regulation, which protect both patients and employees," said Straume.
The Children's Hospital has launched an internal investigation, which, as the board member explained, will not be quick.
Two days later, on 28th November, the Children's Hospital reported the incident to the Health Inspectorate, which has not yet begun an investigation.
"At this time, we do not have any further information about this situation. The Children's Clinical University Hospital has simply informed us that such an incident has occurred and that they have launched their own internal investigation into the circumstances," said Gints Georgs Muraševs, a representative of the Health Inspectorate.
When asked when the Health Inspectorate would get involved, its representative said: "The Health Inspectorate will get involved if the parents submit a request to the Health Inspectorate. We have also separately informed the BKUS of the need to inform the child's legal representatives of their rights in such situations, both the rights included in the Patient Rights Law and, of course, their right to apply to the Medical Risk Fund, when the Health Inspectorate will also begin a separate assessment of the circumstances in which all this took place."
The Children's Hospital also reported the incident to the State Police, which began criminal proceedings a few days ago.
"In connection with the incident, the State Police has received a submission from the Children's Clinical University Hospital and, based on the information provided in the submission, on 5th December this year, the State Police initiated criminal proceedings under Chapter 13 of the Criminal Law, namely, for criminal offences against a person's health. The investigation is ongoing and the circumstances of the incident are being clarified," said State Police representative Gita Gžibovska.
"We realise that this is an immeasurably tragic event for the family. At the same time, it is just as tragic for us as an organisation and for everyone who works at this hospital. I can say this in all seriousness, and on behalf of myself and the entire Children's Hospital, I express my deepest condolences to the family and relatives," added Straume.
The hospital has offered psychological support to the patient's relatives, but they have not accepted this assistance.