November 2006
13 November 2006
A 28 year old patient was admitted to Universitas Academic Hospital for
Organophosphate poisoning after an attempted suicide, on 8 November 2006.
He was recuperating well in the Multi-Disciplinary Intensive Care Unit and
the doctors decided to transfer him to the high risk unit in ward.
At about 16h00 on 8 November 2006, the patient committed suicide by jumping
out of the window next to his bed in Multi-Disciplinary Intensive Care Unit on
the second floor and fell to the lower ground level, where he landed on his
back.
Medical staff responded immediately and started resuscitation. He was taken
to the referral unit where some tests were done.
He had brain damage with dilated pupils, a Right pneumothorax, an open
fracture of the pelvis and suspected severe internal organ damage. Medical
staff tried their best to stabilise him. While doctors were still doing tests
to find out the extent of his injuries, he arrested several times in the
Computerised Tomography (CT) scanner and eventually died at 19h00 from multiple
fractures and internal organ damage.
Steps were immediately taken to secure all windows in the unit which could
be opened. Universitas Academic Hospital windows are kept secured in order to
secure the safety of patients.
This patient, willingly and consciously attempted another suicide. The case
was reported to the police and the family was informed.
Enquiries:
Geralda Winkler
Tel: (051) 408 1563
Issued by: Department of Health, Free State Provincial Government
13 November 2006
