the essential
The family of a 77-year-old patient claims that she died of starvation at the Dijon University Hospital. The hospital defends itself by saying that, although on an empty stomach, she was given meals. The court has opened an investigation. Explanations.
How can you starve in a hospital in France in 2022? The death of a 77-year-old woman who had to be operated on raises a lot of emotion and questions. The family lodged a complaint, the hospital gave its version and the courts took up the case.
What the family says
Last August, a 77-year-old lady suffered a fractured femur. She needs to be operated. But his operation is postponed several times by the Dijon University Hospital. The family say the old lady, who had to be fasting for the operation, was not fed for several days. The children say their mum was left without food for “four or five days”. Claudette Bertauche, 77, called her children every evening on the phone to complain, according to their testimony. When she was brought to intensive care, she was dehydrated, according to the children.
Murielle, Jean and Corinne, Claudette’s three children, in Auxonne, November 8, 2022.
Photo MaxPPP
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Patient starved to death at the Dijon University Hospital: “She was only entitled to a vegetable broth”, testifies her children
What the hospital says
The Dijon University Hospital says it is “fully aware of the emotion” caused by this affair. After initially refusing to speak, hiding behind medical secrecy, he gave his version on Tuesday.
The head of the orthopedic and traumatological service for adults Emmanuel Baulot explains that the patient was indeed kept fasting “for several successive days” but “under surveillance” and that, after each postponement, she “had meals”, which been “trace in the file”. It remains to be seen whether she was really able to eat and under what conditions.
The health professional claims that the lady had several comorbidities and acknowledged that the repeated postponements of the operation deteriorated her state of health. The CHU explains the postponements of Claudette’s leg operation by an “obvious” lack of personnel at the end of August.
Pr Emmanuel Baulot, Head of the Orthopedic Surgery and Adult Traumatology Department at Dijon University Hospital.
Photo MaxPPP
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Patient who died of hunger at the Dijon University Hospital: “Meals have been ordered and distributed”, assures the hospital
What the court says
The Dijon prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation for intentional homicide following the complaint. He ordered an autopsy of the patient’s body. The results are not yet known. The Dijon University Hospital promises to send “all the necessary information” to justice.
