T2026-01 Patient’s death during transfer in emergency medical care on 24 December 2025

14.01.2026

The Safety Investigation Authority will initiate an investigation under section 2 of the Safety Investigation Act (525/2011) into the incident in which an emergency medical care patient fell down in a staircase attached to an electronic staircase chair during a transfer. As a result of the fall, the patient went unconscious and died at the scene despite resuscitation.

The investigation will focus on the practices used in the transfer situations of emergency medical care patients and the patient safety of the devices used in the transfers. The actions of the authorities will also be investigated.

Senior Safety Investigator Heikki Harri will be appointed as the head of the investigation team, and Senior Safety Investigator Leo Evijärvi, Expert Toni Kekki and Expert Iita Saksala will be appointed as members. The investigator in charge is Hanna Tiirinki, Chief Safety Investigator.