Deceased Patient in Upper Austria: Pammer as Commission Leader

The former state audit office director Friedrich Pammer will lead the expert commission that is to investigate the procedures surrounding the death of a patient at Rohrbach hospital. This was announced by the deputy governor responsible for health, Christine Haberlander (ÖVP), on Tuesday. Haberlander had ordered an investigation into the incident following the death.

Expert Commission with Hochgerner

Pammer is to ensure a "comprehensive and transparent" investigation as an "independent and non-partisan expert." Until now, it was only known that Jakob Hochgerner, the head of the health department of the state of Upper Austria, would be a member of the commission. Next, Pammer is to nominate further members, and then the commission should begin its work as quickly as possible.

The occasion is the case of a patient who came to the hospital in Rohrbach on October 14 due to chest pain. An aortic tear was diagnosed there, and the woman should have been taken to a specialized clinic. Neither the Linz Kepler University Hospital (KUK) nor the Wels-Grieskirchen Clinic, the St. Pölten University Hospital, and the Passau Hospital could take her. It was only at the Salzburg State Clinics that they agreed to take her - by then, however, the woman was no longer transportable. She died at the age of 54.

Pammer Stated Goal

"As tragic as this case is, it is also an important occasion to objectively and soberly examine and thoroughly review the framework conditions, structures, and procedures in the hospital system, especially in acute care," said Pammer. The goal of the commission is to "clearly identify weaknesses and highlight potential for improvement." Haberlander emphasized that she values a comprehensive analysis of the procedures. A thorough investigation is needed to draw the right conclusions.

(APA/Red)

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