A 18-year-old in a Hamburg dentist practice: Probation sentence for anesthesiologist
The public prosecutor accused the anesthesiologist and dentist of bodily harm resulting in death. According to the indictment, they allegedly failed to properly inform the patient, whose treatment took place almost eight years ago in May 2016 in the dentist's practice, about the increased risks associated with the procedure.
The 67-year-old anesthesiologist, in the course of the lengthy dental treatment, reportedly misinterpreted the patient's cardiovascular system failure caused by "inadequate anesthesia administration" and therefore allegedly called the emergency services too late.
According to earlier court statements, the charge of bodily harm resulting in death was based on the fact that the anesthesiologist and dentist had not sufficiently informed the patient before the procedure about the fact that the practice's equipment was not up to medical standards for such a long anesthesia treatment. There were reportedly missing monitoring devices and a ventilator.
The treatment itself was deemed permissible, but the patient's consent, given due to the inadequate risk disclosure, was deemed invalid by the public prosecutor. The treatment therefore allegedly constituted bodily harm that led to a negligently caused death.
The anesthesiologist described the incident at the beginning of the trial as a tragedy in which he had failed as a doctor. The dentist reportedly stated that she had relied on her anesthesiologist. She had allegedly called in her colleague for earlier treatments and had found him experienced.
The trial took place at the District Court in Hamburg, with the JudgeRunner presiding over the case. The General anesthesia administered during the dental treatment led to the patient's cardiovascular system failure. The Public Prosecutor's Office sought a punishment for freedom, arguing that the negligence resulted in the 18-year-old's death.
The aftermath of the incident revealed that the dental practice lacked essential monitoring devices and a ventilator during such extensive anesthesia treatments. The Anesthesiologist and the Dentist, both professionals in their fields, were charged with failing to disclose these risks to the patient, resulting in bodily harm and ultimately, Tod.
The court proceedings prompted calls for stricter regulations in Dentistry, emphasizing the importance of thorough medical disclosures before any treatment. The incident served as a reminder that even in Hamburger's renowned dental practices, lapses in safety and communication can have devastating consequences.
As part of the sentencing, the Anesthesiologist was given a probation sentence, while the Dentist was acquitted due to her reliance on the experienced Anesthesiologist. This case highlighted the intricate web of responsibilities in providing healthcare and the consequences for failing to uphold them.
