Police Seize Pediatric ER After Child's Death, Sparking Backlash That Doctors Will Leave

Amid a dispute between the medical community and the police over an "excessive investigation" following a search and seizure at a pediatric emergency room, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) condemned the incident, stating, "We can never overlook this unprecedented situation where a treatment site was turned into a forced investigation site."

In a press release, the KMA stated, "Subjecting an emergency room in the middle of patient care to a forced investigation must be dealt with separately from establishing the facts.

Searching an emergency room where patients are being treated is unacceptable."

Recently, a child receiving treatment for cyanosis passed away at a pediatric emergency center in a university hospital in the southern Gyeonggi Province region.

On the morning of September 30, about two months after the incident occurred, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency executed a search and seizure warrant at this pediatric emergency center.

The Korean Society of Pediatric Emergency Medicine criticized that the police suddenly resorted to a search and seizure even though they had been cooperating with the investigation.

They also pointed out that conducting a search and seizure in an operational emergency room could lead to patient safety accidents.

The police countered that they executed the warrant to the minimum extent possible without disrupting patient care, such as checking empty spaces with the hospital's cooperation.

The KMA pointed out, "At the time of the [search and seizure], there were pediatric patients receiving treatment in the center, including a 6-month-old infant brought in for seizures. The justification for a forced investigation on a treatment site is not secured just because the execution time was short and empty spaces were used."

They added, "Even with the best efforts of medical staff, it is difficult to guarantee outcomes for severe pediatric illnesses due to the progression speed and severity of the disease. Whether negligence occurred must be determined by medically reviewing the child's condition at the time, treatment conditions, and actual procedures performed, which is not something that can be uncovered through a search and seizure."

The KMA expressed concern, saying, "Hospitals that see more critically ill children inevitably face unfortunate deaths that cannot be completely avoided. If investigative personnel barge into an emergency room during treatment every time that happens, doctors who try to take responsibility for critically ill children until the end will be the first to leave the field."

The KMA emphasized that it is not taking issue with legitimate investigations by investigative authorities.

At the same time, they demanded that the police disclose the reasons for applying for a search and seizure warrant targeting an active pediatric emergency center and why the warrant was executed immediately without other attempts, such as requesting voluntary submission of materials.

They also urged the establishment of guidelines for conducting investigations in a manner that does not disrupt medical care.

They demanded that the government consult with investigative authorities and reflect in the law that medical appraisals and professional reviews take precedence over forced investigations in medical malpractice probes.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has also begun assessing the situation.

An official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated, "We are continuously checking the facts of that time," adding, "We plan to continue discussions with the police."

(Photo: Provided by Yonhap News TV, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.