Under former clinic director Francesco Maisano, over 70 sudden deaths occurred at Zurich University Hospital.
The results of an investigative report reveal a dramatic scale: Serious behavioral violations and sudden deaths occurred in the cardiac surgery department at the University Hospital of Zurich between 2016 and 2020.
The report highlights the high excess mortality during the period under investigation, albinfo.ch reports. According to statistical calculations, the death rate was 68 to 74 times higher compared to other university hospitals – based on 4,500 operations.
More than 300 deaths during the tenure of clinic director Francesco Maisano were also examined in detail. According to the analysis, this resulted in 75 problematic surgical procedures, 64 "fairly unexpected" deaths and 11 "unexpected" deaths, srf.ch writes.
In addition, a medical device was used inappropriately in 13 cases, in particular the Cardioband, which Maisano co-developed. The University Hospital Zurich (USZ) has reported these incidents – particularly the deaths and the inappropriate use of the Cardioband device – to the public prosecutor’s office. Investigators are to examine whether any criminal offenses have been committed.
The report identifies the causes of failures in several areas. For example, Francesco Maisano was appointed as the clinic’s director in 2014 in a hurry and without sufficient consideration of his qualifications and potential conflicts of interest. Moreover, the hospital’s management at the time neglected his supervisory duties and recognized the warning signs too late.
“The findings have deeply affected us,” said André Zemp, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the University Hospital of Zurich, at today’s press conference, albinfo.ch reports. “The failure of leadership at various levels is unacceptable.” He apologized to those affected and their families. A special counseling service has been set up for them.
Resignations at Zurich University Hospital
The investigation report has led to the resignation of three members of the Board of Directors. They want to facilitate a fresh start with new staff.
Meanwhile, the Department of Cardiac Surgery, under new leadership, has regained high quality standards. The mortality rate is again within acceptable limits. Similar incidents will be prevented in the future, among other things, by a register of conflicts of interest and a planned system for reporting misconduct.
Let us recall: At the head of the center is now the prominent Albanian physician Prof. Dr. Omer Xhemaili, who is also part of the commission that investigated the work of the center's former head, Maisano, writes albinfo.ch.
Xhemaili was also among the hospital leaders at the press conference held today at the Zurich University Hospital.
Francesco Maisano, who headed the Center for Cardiac Surgery, left Zurich University Hospital in 2021 and returned to Milan, where he still works as a cardiac surgeon.
Canton of Zurich: Patient safety was not guaranteed for years
The Zurich Health Directorate welcomes the steps taken by the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) – first, the submission of the report to the public prosecutor's office and second, the resignations from the hospital board. This is necessary to restore trust in the USZ.
In a statement, the Health Directorate described the years of shortcomings as “serious.” Patient safety was not guaranteed at any time during that period. This contradicts the information the Health Directorate has repeatedly received from the hospital board in the spring of 2020. /Albinfo.ch
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