The Regional Prosecutor's Office in Lublin accused doctor Agata Ł. of exposing a four-year-old patient to direct danger of loss of life or health. The doctor did not qualify the boy for treatment in the anesthesiology and intensive care unit, as a result of which he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. The child died in hospital in May 2022.
According to the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Lublin, on May 27, 2022, parents noticed a “decreased mood and worse well-being” in their four-year-old son. When they went to the pediatrician the next day, the doctor diagnosed the child with acute nasopharyngitis and prescribed medication. The fever was rising, so on May 29, the family went to the emergency department of the University Children's Hospital in Lublin.
“Sudden cardiac arrest occurred”
As written in the indictment, in the Emergency Department the boy was qualified for “very urgent help”. Then he was admitted to the pediatric cardiology department. Approximately 15.20 doctor Agata Ł. did not qualify him for treatment in the anesthesiology and intensive care unit. The boy's health condition was not improving, so around 18.50 – after another consultation – he was admitted to the anesthesiology department. Ten minutes later he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
The investigation showed that the patient underwent resuscitation, during which the staff informed the parents about the unfavorable prognosis and allowed them to say goodbye to their son. The boy was pronounced dead at 19.53. The autopsy showed that the direct cause of death was acute cardiorespiratory failure caused by purulent bronchitis and pneumonia.
According to experts, the patient's condition was serious and deteriorating, and tests clearly indicated sepsis and septic shock. The doctor on duty at the cardiology department “tried many times to place the patient in the anesthesiology and intensive care department,” yet Agata Ł. saw no indications to admit the patient, which – according to experts – was incorrect.
“Despite indications, he was not admitted for treatment in the anesthesiology department”
From a medical point of view, the experts said, the anesthesiologist Agata Ł, who performed the consultation, was responsible for the incorrect conduct. They emphasized that the patient, despite existing indications, was not admitted for treatment in the anesthesiology department when “there was still at least a theoretical chance of saving him.”
“Delaying the decision to admit a patient with sepsis to the ICU wasted the opportunity to implement intensive therapy and try to improve the patient's condition,” the indictment said.
The prosecutor's office charged Agata Ł. with exposing a patient to direct danger of loss of life or serious bodily harm. The doctor did not admit to committing the act she was accused of. She had no previous convictions. Her trial will take place before the Lublin-Zachód District Court.
The suspect faces up to five years in prison.
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