This appears from a letter that the Norwegian Health Authority has sent to the doctor, which Nordjyske in collaboration with the Norwegian media in Tromsø has been given access to.
The letter states that the doctor will lose his authorization because in several cases he has spent far too little time reviewing scan images of patients and as a result has overlooked several cases of serious illness.
– In our assessment, we emphasize that over time you have acted in such a way that you have exposed patients to a serious risk, the authorities write, among other things.
The doctor now has three weeks to appeal the decision.
The case in Norway took place while the doctor was working at Aalborg University Hospital.
Here he has been employed as a substitute since 2019, and that continues unchanged, informs Søren Pihlkjær Hjortshøj, who is medical director at the hospital.
– We can confirm that Dedicare (the temporary agency through which the doctor is employed ed.) has informed Aalborg University Hospital that a temporary employed doctor is no longer authorized in Norway. However, it is the Agency for Patient Safety that makes decisions about health authorizations in Denmark, and the current substitute still has a Danish authorization. Thus, he can continue to legally apply for work in the Danish healthcare system. On this basis, Aalborg University Hospital has no comments on the decision of the Norwegian health authorities, he writes in a written reply.
The Swedish Agency for Patient Safety is currently investigating the work of radiologists in Denmark.
The board states that the decision from Norway will be included in their investigation.
Nordjyske is currently working on getting a comment from the temporary employment agency Dedicare.
Updating…
2024-11-18 13:24:00
#put #patients #risk #consequences
How can healthcare systems mitigate the risks associated with time pressure on medical professionals?
**Interview with Dr. Lars Nilsen, Medical Expert on Recent Norwegian Health Authority Decision**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Nilsen. Could you start by summarizing the situation regarding the doctor mentioned in the letter from the Norwegian Health Authority?
**Dr. Nilsen:** Absolutely. The letter reveals that a doctor is at risk of losing his medical authorization due to repeated cases of inadequately reviewing medical scans. This is concerning not just for the medical community but also for patient safety, as thorough evaluations are critical in diagnostics.
**Interviewer:** This case highlights the importance of time management in healthcare. Do you think there are systemic issues contributing to these kinds of oversights?
**Dr. Nilsen:** Yes, I believe there are. Many healthcare professionals are under immense pressure with high patient loads and administrative duties, which can lead to rushed evaluations. It’s essential for healthcare systems to provide adequate resources and time for doctors so they can give proper attention to each case.
**Interviewer:** What are the potential consequences for the patients affected by the doctor’s actions?
**Dr. Nilsen:** The consequences could be severe. Incomplete reviews of scans may result in misdiagnosis or delayed treatment, which can affect patient outcomes significantly. It underscores the critical need for vigilance and care in medical practice.
**Interviewer:** What should be done moving forward to prevent incidents like this?
**Dr. Nilsen:** There must be a balance between efficiency and thoroughness in the medical field. Implementing better training programs, increasing staffing levels, and fostering a culture where physicians feel they can take the time needed for each patient are crucial steps for improvement.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Nilsen. It’s clear that ensuring patient safety is paramount in healthcare.
**Dr. Nilsen:** Thank you for having me. It’s a vital conversation, and I’m hopeful that this case will lead to improvements in our healthcare system.
