ÖOG: No Mistakes by Doctors and Nurses in Death of Patient in Upper Austria

Before an extraordinary supervisory board meeting of the Upper Austrian Health Holding (OÖG) on Monday, the chairman of the OÖG, Franz Harnoncourt, announced his resignation. Harnoncourt's contract, who is also the managing director of the Kepler University Hospital, was originally set to run until 2029. He hopes "that this break will allow for a new beginning." The recruitment process should start as soon as possible.

Widespread Discussion After Death of Patient in Upper Austria

In mid-October, the patient came to the OÖG hospital in Rohrbach with an aortic tear. She should have been transferred to a specialized clinic, but nowhere, not even at the Kepler University Hospital, was there the capacity to treat her quickly enough. The woman died. Her case sparked a widespread discussion about the processes and capacities in the healthcare system. As a result, Haberlander has set up an expert commission for clinical emergency management and communication to clarify the processes surrounding the woman's death.

The supervisory board of the OÖG reported on Monday that the patient died at 11:18 PM, just over two hours after the diagnosis, from a "very rare, fateful disease." "We do not know if the immediate operation of the aortic tear could have saved her life. Without a doubt, however, the course of events has shown that it is necessary to critically question and continuously improve interfaces and communication processes - both internally within the company and across carriers and states," concluded the OÖG. "There were no indications of errors; on the contrary, everything possible was done to save the patient's life," explained Mittendorfer.

The hospital management of the OÖG presented the following measures: The checklist with precise procedures and telephone contacts for the emergency departments of regional hospitals should be improved. A 24/7 emergency helicopter should be established in Upper Austria. The OÖG wants to coordinate cross-state capacity with other federal states. A multi-professional working group of the OÖG should evaluate communication paths and transfer possibilities and develop improvements.

Limited Surgery Capacities

Regarding limited surgery capacities, which were also the subject of a board meeting, it was stated that 23 full-time positions in anesthesia are missing at KUK, with currently 92 anesthesiologists. Through a project to stabilize anesthesia at KUK, there are 47 interested candidates for the positions. In the operating room care, 30 people are currently missing to reach the necessary level of 286. Fifteen people at KUK will complete their training in October 2027. An operating room is to be reopened in December, with one more each in April and July 2026. However, at the regional hospital in Steyr, the surgery capacity will be reduced by ten percent or from 35 to 31 operating tables starting January, specified Harnoncourt. These are planned procedures, and alternatives in other hospitals will be offered where possible.

"When the organization and thus its leadership are now under such severe criticism, when a fruitful and productive action - also due to the discussions I perceive as overheated - is hardly possible anymore, it is necessary to take responsibility for it - which I hereby do," Harnoncourt explained at the beginning of the meeting. "This is all the more so, as in this atmosphere, a return to constructive work is probably only possible through a new beginning, including personnel changes." Quite self-critically, he further stated in his personal explanation: "It is obviously not or not sufficiently successful for me to set the course within the organization both at the regional clinics and at the Kepler University Hospital so that the difficult conditions for our patients and staff are felt as little as possible."

Deputy Governor Paid Respect to Decision

The decision deserves respect, such a step "is never easy and requires personal strength as well as great responsibility towards the Upper Austrian Health Holding," Haberlander thanked Harnoncourt for the long-standing, very good cooperation and the willingness to ensure an orderly transition. At the same time, she also made it clear that "structural improvements are necessary." These include the "further development of processes, sharpening of internal procedures, intensified recruiting in the known shortage areas, or strengthening communication between the facilities," she listed. JKU Rector Stefan Koch thanked Harnoncourt "for the excellent cooperation and for the joint development of the innovative concept for the next development phase of the Medical Faculty" and welcomed the now intended separation of the two management functions (of OÖG and KUK, note) "very much." The Medical Association for Upper Austria also emphasized the "constructive and professional cooperation" with the 64-year-old.

(APA/Red)

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