Local media reported that the scandal surrounding the amputation of a leg in the Middle Jutland region, where the amputation could have been avoided, cost executive vice president Ole Thomsen his job. He confirmed this himself in a text message to DR Nyheder but had no further comment. Thomsen had held the position since 2010.
Politicians from the regional council held an extraordinary meeting of the business committee in the Middle Jutland region on Thursday morning regarding this issue, which has put considerable pressure on the regional administration in recent weeks.
Regional Council Chairman Anders Kohnau said that Thompson was dismissed because they wanted someone with a healthcare background in the region, adding, “It is important for us to be able to work more purposefully with improving quality, patient processes, and patient safety. A new profile with a healthcare background should help promote this.” He noted that his recommendation at the meeting was that Thompson should no longer be executive vice president.
From 92 cases annually to 47
The issue came to light with the tracking of amputation cases in an analysis conducted for the Middle Jutland region, which showed that more people in that region had their legs amputated than in other regions, and that this could have been avoided.
More specifically, 47 amputations could have been avoided annually. This figure was corrected this week; the analysis initially showed 92, but according to the Middle Jutland region, the correct number is 47 per year. The explanation is that one of the region's hospitals was counted twice.
It has emerged that on several occasions there have been inquiries from medical companies and advice to the regional administration expressing concern about the number of amputations in the Middle Jutland region. In February 2019, for example, the Danish Society for Vascular Surgery wrote to the regional administration that “planned savings in the region in the field of vascular surgery could lead to increased waiting times and therefore an increased risk of gangrene and amputation, as well as an increased risk of loss of life.”.
Regional council chairman Anders Kohnau maintained throughout the case that he had not been informed of an increase in amputations or disability cases, and therefore could not defend anything.
He also stated that the management of two hospitals in the region with vascular surgery departments in March 2019 confirmed that the provision agreement was completely sound from a professional standpoint and ensured the necessary patient safety.
The executive committee in the Middle Jutland region had previously decided that the entire amputation process should be studied through an independent examination.
Health Minister Magnus Heunicke described the situation as serious, and both the National Board of Health and the Danish Patient Safety Agency have requested a statement from the region, which must be ready by May 16.
As a result of the scandal, compensation is expected to be awarded to up to 500 cases of patients or relatives of amputees, and this will likely lead to a longer waiting time to process each case or request.
It is estimated that the potential compensation will be at least 100,000 Danish kroner.
