T2024-01 Delay indetecting patient lifelessness due to malfunction of telemetry unit 23 October 2024

06.11.2024

The Safety Investigation Authority, Finland launches an investigation pursuant to Section 2.2. of the Safety Investigation Act of Finland (525/2011) into a malfunction of a telemetry unit that led to a delay in the detection of a patient’s unresponsiveness in a hospital in South Ostrobothnia on 23 October 2024.

The patient was connected to the telemetry unit in a hospital ward. S/he was found lifeless. A malfunction was detected in the telemetry unit. The patient died despite attempts to resuscitate (CPR) him/her. The investigation will examine the management of a safe use of medical devices, the assessment of risk factors associated with their use, and practices for their operation and maintenance.

Expert Jukka Seppänen has been appointed head of the investigation team with Expert Päivi Porkka, Expert Sanna Ranta and Senior Investigator Krista Lyyra as members. Dr. Hanna Tiirinki, Chief Safety Investigator (Social and Healthcare) will be the Investigator In Charge.