Doctor should have operated dozens of times without cause

A doctor at the Altmark-Klinikum Gardelegen is said to have operated many times for no reason

08.11.2012

According to a report of the ARD television magazine "fact" a doctor in Saxonia-Anhalt is said to have carried out numerous operations unnecessarily. Seven senior physicians of the Altmark-Klinikum Gardelegen make serious allegations against the doctor and the hospital management. The interventions without sufficient indication were probably carried out for cost reasons.

In the Altmark-Klinikum Gardelegen in Saxony-Anhalt a neurosurgeon apparently performed unnecessary operations on patients. This has been research by the ARD magazine "fact". Dozens of patients should have been advised to undergo surgery, although there were insufficient medical reasons. Seven doctors of the clinic make serious allegations against their own employers.

Herniated disc surgery without herniated disc
By its own admission, the magazine has a list with the names of numerous patients who have undergone surgery without sufficient reason in the last twelve months. Almost all affected people had spinal surgery. According to the magazine, "medical records show that the treating neurosurgeon has in many cases operated on a herniated disc, although a radiologist had previously found that there is no herniated disc." In a patient case, the doctor had operated a narrowing of the spinal canal of the spine, allegedly narrowed. Previously, however, a radiologist noted that the life-requiring nerve canal was "moderately normal".

The clinic management knew about it?
The magazine claims in its issue that the behavior of the clinician's doctor is known. Several senior physicians have criticized the malady in the clinic again and again. Seven doctors signed a letter to the board of the hospital stating that the incidents involved serious and dangerous bodily injuries that are punishable. "If the incidents are not completely cleared up, the existence and the reputation of the Altmark-Klinikum would be endangered."

But instead of clarifying the grievances, the clinic would put pressure on the signing physicians. One of the doctors, Dr. Bernd Falkenberg, received within three months three layoffs, but always ran into the void. The surgeon said, "I suspect I should be silenced."

A patient died due to unnecessary surgery?
The lawyer of Bernd Falkenberg reports that even a patient died as a result of an unnecessarily performed surgery. Reason for the operations without indication were "higher proceeds", as another physician reported, which wants to remain however anonymous. Patients were almost forced to undergo surgery, the doctor told the "fact".

The hospital management rejects the allegations. A written statement states that the indications of irregularities and alleged treatment errors are taken seriously. However, an internal audit did not provide any evidence. In addition, the medical service would regularly review all findings. Although a doctor was indeed dismissed, this was for "personal reasons".

Now, the statutory health insurance have turned on. The fact report is currently under review. If the information turns out to be authentic, the investigating authorities may also be involved, as a spokesman for the association of alternative health insurance companies emphasized. (Sb)

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