'Proxy Surgery History' Gwangju Spine Hospital Faces Another Death Incident

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Another death has occurred at a spine specialty hospital in Gwangju Metropolitan City that has a history of delegated surgeries. Including this case, two patients have died this year.

On the 12th, the Gwangju Police Agency announced that they have received a complaint from the bereaved family of a man in his 70s, Mr. A, who died during surgery, and are investigating the case on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death.

Mr. A underwent lumbar disc surgery at the hospital on February 17 and was transferred to a university hospital two days later after complaining of abdominal pain. A bowel perforation was discovered, and he underwent emergency surgery. Despite being hospitalized for three months and undergoing several additional surgeries, he ultimately passed away on the 8th of last month. The bereaved family claims medical malpractice, arguing that the hospital chose a surgical method involving the abdomen despite knowing that Mr. A had bowel stenosis. The police are investigating by obtaining the surgery room corridor CCTV footage voluntarily submitted, confirming the list of medical staff and employees involved in the surgery, and securing related materials.

On the 2nd, a woman in her 20s who was undergoing cervical disc surgery fell into a coma during the operation and was urgently transferred to a large hospital, where she died. The bereaved family is claiming medical malpractice and has filed a complaint against the hospital.

Recently, a complaint was also filed alleging delegated surgery. The main point is a request to punish three doctors and three nursing assistants (PAs) affiliated with the Department of Medical Engineering for violating the "Special Act on the Control of Health Crimes (Punishment of Fraudulent Medical Practitioners)".

This hospital had three doctors and three nursing assistants convicted in the first trial for delegated surgeries such as surgical suturing performed by nursing assistants in 2017-2018, and they appealed the verdict.

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