Patient Died After Being Restrained in May Last Year
Authorities: "Hospital May Continue Operations If Fine Is Accepted"
The health authorities have announced a suspension of operations for the hospital run by psychiatrist and broadcaster Jaeung Yang (43), following an incident in which a patient died after being restrained at the facility.
According to Yonhap News Agency on December 8, the Bucheon City Public Health Center in Gyeonggi Province has sent a preliminary notice of a three-month suspension of operations to a hospital in Bucheon, where unlicensed medical practices (violations of the Medical Service Act) by medical staff were discovered. The health center plans to make a final administrative decision after receiving the hospital's statement of opinion within this month.
A hospital representative responded to some media reports about ongoing closure procedures by saying, "We have not received any information regarding closure, so there is nothing to announce at this time."
An official from the Bucheon City Public Health Center stated, "Currently, the hospital has not submitted any documents related to closure," and added, "If the hospital submits a statement expressing its intention to accept a fine, it may continue operating without suspension."
A primary doctor in their 40s, referred to as Dr. A, and five nurses working at the hospital were indicted last month on charges including involuntary manslaughter due to professional negligence. Dr. A and others are accused of failing to provide appropriate care to a female patient in her 30s, referred to as Ms. B, who complained of abdominal pain on May 27 last year, resulting in her death.
According to the prosecution's investigation, they failed to properly monitor the side effects of antipsychotic medication administered to Ms. B, confined her in a stabilization room despite her complaints of pain, and either restrained her limbs or left her unattended.
Ms. B, who had been hospitalized for treatment of diet pill addiction, died after 17 days. The cause of death was "acute pseudo-obstruction of the intestine."
The prosecution is continuing its investigation into seven medical staff members, including Yang, after receiving the case from the police.
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