VIOLENT DEATHS IN A HOSPITAL

Abstract

The occurrence of a violent death in a hospital is rare but
known by most of the healthcare facilities. The circumstances
surrounding these suicides, accidents or homicides require
an inquest to provide answers about the exact cause of
death. In scientific literature, the subject of violent deaths
remains inadequately investigated and the nature of these
violent deaths unevenly described. It focuses only on the
patients and rarely takes into consideration the death of
personnel or visitors.
In order to highlight the cause and nature of violent deaths
in a general hospital, this study took for example cases of
violent deaths that occurred within the Geneva University
Hospitals (HUG). Forensic records of the University Center
of Legal Medicine (CURML) have been reviewed during
the period from 2005 to 2014.
In Geneva, records show a small number of deadly incidents
in the HUG during the studied period. In total, 24 cases of
violent deaths are registered: 7 cases of suicides and 17 cases of
accidents. There is no case of homicide. Accidents are mainly
caused by medical errors and fatal falls. As for suicides, the
most current method is defenestration and mainly concern
older and polymorbid patients. Finally, this study highlights
the exceptional nature of these incidents and the context in
which they occur.