Graz: A shocking incident in Graz, Austria, has ignited widespread ethical and legal concerns after a doctor allowed her 13-year-old daughter to participate in a surgery on a patient’s head, resulting in severe consequences. This breach of medical protocol has not only raised questions about the doctor’s professional judgment but also placed the hospital in a challenging situation.
The incident occurred in January, when a 39-year-old man was rushed to LKH hospital after a tree fell on him, causing significant skull fractures. Surgery was deemed urgent. During the operation, the female neurosurgeon permitted her daughter to drill a hole in the patient’s skull, a procedure that falls outside acceptable medical practice. The surgery was successful, but the involvement of the doctor’s daughter became known months later, in April, triggering an uproar.
The hospital swiftly suspended the doctor four months ago, and the police were notified. The patient was informed of the situation, and an investigation was initiated. This was a clear violation of medical ethics and posed a significant risk to patient safety. The doctor’s actions not only endangered the patient’s life but also damaged the credibility of the hospital.
In an unexpected twist, the doctor is now suing the hospital, arguing that her dismissal was not in compliance with her employment contract. This legal challenge has sparked outrage, with many seeing it as an attempt to evade responsibility for a severe ethical lapse.
At a recent court hearing, the doctor’s lawyer argued that her suspension was not immediate enough. The lawyer claimed that the doctor should have been fired right after her statement was taken. However, the hospital waited for an additional three months before terminating her employment, following statements from the anaesthetist who was present during the surgery.
The case has now been suspended until January 20, with the doctor indicating that she will not discuss any potential settlement until her job is reinstated. The outcome of this legal battle remains to be seen, but the controversy has already raised significant concerns about medical accountability and patient safety in Austria.
