Home surgery mishap leads to potential imprisonment of three years for the surgeon involved.
Unlicensed Home Surgery Leaves 46-Year-Old Women Dead: Doctor Faces Criminal Charges for Negligence in DIY Operation
A Russian surgeon is facing up to three years in prison after a home operation gone wrong in Nizhny Tagil in November 2024. The improvised medical procedure on a 46-year-old woman with ascites led to her death.
The patient, suffering from a liver cirrhosis complication, requested assistance from a doctor at her home instead of visiting a hospital without seeking medical advice. The 56-year-old physician performed a laparocentesis - a risky abdominal cavity procedure - in perceived antiseptic conditions. However, he recklessly damaged soft tissues and the umbilical vein, causing an uncontrollable flow of blood, worsening the woman's condition.
The surgeon only contacted the city's emergency medical station the following day, but it was too late to save the patient. He partially admitted guilt regarding the mishap.
The misguided home operation lands the physician in trouble under the Russian Criminal Code. He is charged with causing death by negligence due to professional misconduct, as highlighted in Article 109. Negligence resulting in death can result in anything from prison sentences, forced labor, to a ban on practicing medicine. The exact penalty can vary based on the degree of negligence, the context, and whether aggravating factors apply.
Performing medical procedures outside a licensed facility is considered a breach of medical practice regulations that may lead to legal repercussions. Executing procedures in unsuitable environments not only risks the patient's life but may also result in harsher penalties. The health professional may face charges under Article 238 for producing, storing, or transporting non-compliant products or services - including medical procedures.
While it's common knowledge that home operations are not a common practice in Russia, they are considered a dangerous disregard of professional and legal standards. Fellow medical workers should adhere to regulations, prioritizing patient safety and ensuring their medical licenses are not jeopardized with draconian punishments like prison sentences and a permanenat loss of licensure.
In the context of this article, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of seeking professional medical-conditions treatment in a hospital setting rather than relying on therapies-and-treatments performed at home, as demonstrated by the tragic outcome of the unlicensed home surgery. Ignoring health-and-wellness guidelines and performing medical procedures outside a licensed facility, as in the case of the Nizhny Tagil incident, can lead to severe consequences, including prison sentences and a permanent loss of licensure, as outlined in Articles 109 and 238 of the Russian Criminal Code.
