The doctor in question ordered a nurse to give a catalyst through KakaoTalk, instead of checking the condition of the mother and fetus who visited the hospital in January 2015. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Korea Bizwire) — An obstetrician who ordered a nurse to act on his behalf via the popular messaging app KakaoTalk, including giving an injection, was not found guilty on charges of criminal negligence.
Even though the doctor was responsible for the care of the patient, his negligence put the fetus into serious danger.
Judge Kim Kyung-jin from the Seoul Central District Court determined that the doctor was only guilty of document forgery, and handed down a sentence of eight months in prison suspended for two years.
The doctor in question ordered a nurse to give a catalyst through KakaoTalk, instead of checking the condition of the mother and fetus who visited the hospital in January 2015.
The mother had to wait for over ten hours to see the doctor and delivered a baby who stopped breathing after being given a stimulant. The newborn suffered from brain damage and passed away a few months later.
Under such circumstances, the prosecutor charged the doctor with work-related negligence causing death.
However, the court denied the charge, saying there was no evidence to prove that the doctor had been inattentivene.
Even though there was other evidence related to the charge, it was not sufficient to result in a conviction.
Rather, the court acknowledged the fact that the doctor tried to cover his tracks and forged documents by changing times and dates. The doctor was only found guilty of document forgery.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
