Two weeks ago, a serious mistake was made in the Brugmann hospital in
Brussels. A corrossive substance – instead of distilled water – was used to clean an endoscope, causing severe internal burns to 4 patients during a routine intestinal check-up.
The hospital immediately admitted a blunder was made. They contacted the possibly affected patients, offered them the appropriate medical, psychological, legal, administrative assistance, and promised a compensation. A fine example of good crisis communication!
But at the same time the hospital brought action against an unknown person and tried to minimalise the damage. Two weeks have passed and nothing has been communicated concerning the results of the investigation. The patients complained about the bad communication of the hospital towards them.
The website of the Brugmann Hospital says nothing about the incident. It does say they are cooperating in a national campaign about hospital hygiene ‘You are in good hands’. I’m not so sure if the 4 victims would agree on this…
Maud Bonte
Sources: Zware fout bij darmonderzoek, Knack, 31 March 2009
Routineonderzoek in ziekenhuis heeft dramatisch gevolgen, De Standaard, 1 April 2009
