What has happened so far

Child in the operating theater: the chronology of a scandal

Graz Regional Hospital is currently on everyone's lips. Two doctors were dismissed in a very short space of time.

(Bild: APA/Erwin Scheriau)

The events surrounding the Styrian doctor who allegedly allowed her daughter (13) to touch a patient during an operation at Graz Regional Hospital are happening one after the other. In order to maintain an overview, we summarize the events of this unbelievable case once again. Regional Health Councillor Karlheinz Kornhäusl (ÖVP) comments on the incidents for the first time.

At the beginning of June, the "Krone" newspaper made public the unbelievable case that had already taken place in January: at that time, a young man was admitted to the provincial hospital in Graz after a serious forestry accident. He had to undergo emergency surgery on the same day. Two surgeons and five other members of the operating team were allowed to be in the room - but one doctor took her 13-year-old daughter into the operating room with her! This is, of course, forbidden, as people under the age of 16 are not allowed in.

And, even more scandalous: the child, wrapped in appropriate surgical clothing, even laid hands on the patient herself!

Young patient is said to be unharmed
Only a few weeks after the incident did an anonymous complaint reach the public prosecutor's office in Graz. The hospital justified itself by claiming that the operation had been "without complications" and that the patient was doing well. Shortly afterwards, however, the access regulations to operating theaters were revised: Now everyone involved must introduce themselves by name and function, and people without a function must leave the room immediately.

During an operation, a 13-year-old girl is said to have handled the patient herself.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com - Gorodenkoff Productions OU)

The public prosecutor's office initially investigated the surgeon and mother of the 13-year-old, a surgeon and other unknown perpetrators on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. The public prosecutor's office is now investigating five more people.

And those responsible have drawn personnel consequences: The University Hospital and the Medical University of Graz dismissed the two surgeons without notice within a few days. The reason given was that trust in the doctor was gone. On Sunday, Med Uni Graz finally confirmed that the second doctor also had to leave (the "Krone" reported in its Sunday edition): "We can confirm the termination of employment and ask for your understanding that, for the protection of all involved and due to the ongoing investigation, we are currently unable to provide any further information on the facts of the case."

According to rumors, the now-terminated doctor is said to have defended the 13-year-old's mother, but corrected his statement. Because he is said to have initially told the untruth, the Rectorate dismissed him without notice.

Gesundheitslandesrat Karlheinz Kornhäusl: 

„Ich bin bestürzt über diesen Fall“

"Krone": Mr. Provincial Councillor, as a former hospital doctor, how do you feel about a 13-year-old girl having access to the operating theatre and even being allowed to perform surgery herself?
Kornhäusl: I was shocked when I heard about it! For me - and I think I speak for the many colleagues in our hospitals - the relationship between us doctors and our patients is based on mutual trust. That is the basis for any therapy. This case also affected me so much because it shakes this trust. This must not happen, because people must be able to rely on medical help. And the people of Styria can!

Apart from the risk to the patient, what do you think an emergency operation does to a child's psyche?
As the father of two daughters, I don't even want to imagine it.

ÖVP health councillor Karlheinz Kornhäusl

(Bild: Pail Sepp)

Were the guidelines in the hospital too lax back then - and do you think they should be tightened up now?
There were already clear guidelines, and the company also took further steps as an immediate measure. What is needed now is a comprehensive investigation into how such a case could have come about in the first place. But one thing is also clear: if there is a need for further tightening up, this must and will happen!