[Anchor]
The medical community is protesting that the police's search and seizure was a reckless measure that failed to consider the unique nature of emergency medical care. On the other hand, the police maintain that the investigation was conducted in accordance with lawful procedures.
Reporter Jeong Gyeong-yun examines the key issues of this controversy and its potential future fallout.
[Reporter]
What doctors object to the most is that the police pushed ahead with a search and seizure of the emergency room without following preliminary steps, even though they could have simply requested the voluntary submission of materials such as Electronic Medical Records (EMR) or CCTV footage.
In contrast, the police counter that they hold discretionary authority in choosing their investigative methods.
They argue that compulsory investigation was inevitable because electronic medical records could potentially be altered, forged, or deleted afterward. However, the medical community refutes this, pointing out that under the current system, where all records are saved down to the second, any signs of tampering or forgery would remain.
Another key issue is whether the police's aggressive search and seizure actually disrupted emergency treatment.
While the police claim they cooperated as much as possible to avoid hindering medical treatment, medical staff insist that actual disruptions did occur.
[Ham Young-wook, Head of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit at the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency (Yesterday, National Assembly Audit): I received reports that the execution was carried out in vacant treatment and procedure rooms, with relevant personnel present, and kept to the minimum necessary extent of search and seizure.]
[Lee Ji-sook, Head of the Pediatric Emergency Center at Ajou University Hospital (Press conference on October 15): A baby of around six months old had already entered the emergency room and was undergoing treatment while suffering from continuous seizures for over an hour. We were even preparing for endotracheal intubation, administering various medications, and all nurses were entirely focused on that treatment.]
Some express concerns that this incident will only deepen the avoidance of essential medical fields.
While the process of uncovering medical malpractice is certainly necessary, opinions suggest that measures should be established to minimize compulsory investigations in spaces like emergency rooms where every split second counts, taking into account the special characteristics of emergency medical settings.
[Jang Sung-hwan, Lawyer: Operating rooms, intensive care units, and emergency rooms that run 24 hours a day should immediately be subjected to compulsory investigations only as an absolute last resort when it is unmistakably critical and unavoidable.]
When the revised Medical Dispute Mediation Act takes effect in May of next year, the Medical Accident Deliberation Committee will provide advisory opinions on whether medical staff committed gross negligence. However, since this does not extend to intervening in compulsory investigations or procedures, urgent measures are needed to prevent future conflicts.
(Design: Seo Seung-hyun | Video Editing: Seeun)
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