As the medical community and police engage in a dispute over "excessive investigation" regarding a search and seizure at a pediatric emergency room, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) has condemned the move, stating, "We can never overlook this unprecedented situation where a clinical site was turned into a forced investigation scene."

In a press release, the KMA stated, "Targeting an emergency room in the middle of patient care for a forced investigation must be addressed separately from establishing the facts.

Conducting a search and seizure in an emergency room while patients are being treated is unacceptable."

Recently, at a university hospital pediatric emergency center in the southern Gyeonggi region, a child being treated for cyanosis died.

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

The Korean Society of Pediatric Emergency Medicine criticized that police suddenly resorted to a search and seizure despite their cooperation with the investigation thus far.

They also pointed out that conducting a search and seizure in an active 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 vacant spaces with the cooperation of the hospital.

The KMA pointed out, "At the time of the [search and seizure], there were pediatric patients receiving treatment, including a 6-month-old infant brought in for seizures. The fact that the execution time was short and vacant spaces were used does not justify a forced investigation on a clinical site."

They added, "Severe pediatric conditions are difficult to guarantee outcomes for regardless of the medical staff's best efforts, depending on the disease progression rate and severity. Whether there was negligence can only be determined by medically reviewing the child's condition at the time, treatment conditions, and actual procedures, and it is not a matter that can be uncovered through a search and seizure."

The KMA expressed concern, saying, "Hospitals that treat more severe pediatric patients cannot completely avoid unfortunate deaths. If investigative personnel barge into an emergency room during treatment every time that happens, doctors who strive to take ultimate responsibility for severe pediatric patients 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, the police were demanded to explain the reason for applying for a search and seizure warrant targeting the operating 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 investigative execution standards in a way that does not disrupt medical care.

The government was urged to consult with investigative authorities so that medical appraisals and expert reviews take precedence over forced investigations in medical malpractice investigations, and to reflect this in the law.

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

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

(Photo: Provided by Yonhap News TV, Yonhap News)