The Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice has completed the investigation into the death of 30-year-old pregnant Izabela, who died in a hospital in Pszczyna (Silesian Voivodeship). According to “Rzeczpospolita”, three doctors who treated the woman will appear in court. According to investigators – the daily reports – the judgment of the Constitutional Tribunal, which tightened the abortion law, “had no impact on the behavior of doctors.”
Three doctors, including the head of the obstetrics and gynecology department, who took care of the pregnant Izabela, will be held responsible for unintentionally causing her death, exposing her to a direct threat of loss of life or serious damage to health, and failing to provide her with help – reports “Rzeczpospolita”. “According to the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice, the judgment of the (Constitutional) Tribunal tightening the abortion law had no impact on the behavior of medics,” the daily reports.
At the beginning of March this year. Deputy District Professional Liability Ombudsman in Katowice issued decisions to bring charges against two doctorswho took care of Isabella. They concern violation of Art. 4 of the Act on the Medical Profession and Art. 8 of the Code of Medical Ethics. Article 4 of the Act on the Medical Professions states that a doctor is obliged to practice the profession in accordance with current medical knowledge, methods and means available to him for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, in accordance with the principles of professional ethics and with due diligence. Pursuant to Art. Code of Medical Ethics, a doctor should carry out all diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive procedures with due diligence and devote the necessary time to them.
In May, the prosecutor’s office announced the extension of the investigation. Previously o partial cancellation this procedure. The investigators did not find any crime in the behavior of the midwives who took care of Izabela, no untruths in the medical documentation, or any irregularities in the care of the patient after her cardiac arrest.
01/04/2023 | Death of Izabela from Pszczyna. The prosecutor’s office discontinued the investigation into the midwivesAfter the death of Izabela from Pszczyna, large protests took place in the streets of cities all over Poland. Candles were then also lit before the Constitutional Tribunal, whose verdict led to an almost complete ban on abortion in Poland. After a year and a half, the investigation against doctors continues, but against midwives it has been discontinued. A 30-year-old woman went to hospital after her water broke. The fetus had previously been diagnosed with developmental defects. The woman died in hospital as a result of septic shock.Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska | Fakty TVN
The death of 30-year-old Izabela and protests across the country
In September 2021, Izabela went to the District Hospital in Pszczyna after her water broke. The fetus had previously been diagnosed with developmental defects. The woman died in hospital as a result of septic shock. The deceased’s family believes that doctors waited too long to end the pregnancy, which contributed to the 30-year-old’s death.
The death of a woman who left behind a several-year-old daughter sparked outrage throughout the country protests against the current abortion laws under the slogan “Not one more”.
Read also: “You will never, ever walk alone.” Another day of protests after the death of Izabela from Pszczyna
More protests after the tragedy in Pszczyna. Crowds on the streets of Krakow and KatowiceSunday was another day of protests dedicated to the memory of a pregnant 30-year-old woman from Pszczyna. The woman died after doctors were told to wait for the fetus to die. Demonstrations took place in Kraków, Katowice and Bielsko-Biała under the slogan “Not one more”.Katarzyna Czuryńska-Chabros | Facts in the afternoon
Inspection carried out earlier in hospital by the National Health Fund confirmed numerous irregularities in the organization, method of implementation and quality of services provided to the patient. National Health Fund therefore, he imposed a fine on the hospital in the amount of nearly PLN 650,000. zloty.
Based on the collected documentation and expert opinions, the patient rights ombudsman concluded that the patient’s rights had been violated in this case and also prepared recommendations for the hospital in Pszczyna. These included, among others: developing and implementing procedures regarding the rules of conduct of staff in the event of septic shock, as well as implementing rules of conduct in situations that threaten a woman’s life or health. The hospital has already conducted additional staff training and expanded safety procedures. Previously, the hospital management repeatedly assured that its staff did everything to save the patient and her child, and all medical decisions were made taking into account the legal provisions and standards of conduct in force in Poland. However, he suspended the contracts of two doctors who were on duty during the woman’s stay in the hospital.
Main photo source: TVN24