Vosges: Remiremont hospital suspends its surgical activity after a new suspicious death

One more suspicious death. The Remiremont Hospital Center, a town of less than 10,000 inhabitants in the Vosges, is once again in turmoil after the death of a patient described as “unexpected” on Tuesday. One case among many others since the hospital is already targeted by 12 complaints filed by victims’ families, including eight for “involuntary homicide”, for cases dating back to May 2022. Patients suffering from seemingly banal pathologies, without mortal risk, die on site after being taken into care, in often very unclear circumstances.

Measures considered late

This new case has pushed the Center to suspend, at least until next Tuesday, the activity of the planned surgery service. “Following the unexpected death of a patient at the Remiremont Hospital Center in surgery, and due to the general context, in particular regarding complaints, it was decided, as a precautionary measure, to suspend all scheduled surgical activity “, indicates the establishment in a press release. The objective is to verify that “all medical and surgical organizations are fully compliant with the rules of the establishment”, continues the management.

Serious incidents have been happening for over a year. For example, a 59-year-old woman suffering from pancreatitis who did not survive her operation. Another strange situation is a 78-year-old woman who was admitted for a fractured femoral neck and who also died three days ago under suspicious circumstances. An autopsy will be carried out and the family says they are filing a complaint. The Regional Health Agency “had already initiated, from January 2, 2023, a medical-administrative inspection responsible in particular for examining each identified case”, following complaints filed with the courts.

A victims’ association is delighted that measures are finally being taken in this hospital, even if they are too late, said its founder. “Another death that could surely have been avoided,” she lamented. The families of the victims will speak for the first time in a press conference next Monday. Until then, only surgical emergencies will be provided within the hospital center.

“It is not health professionals who are targeted”

This Friday evening, an investigation to “search for the causes of death” was opened, according to the Epinal public prosecutor. Three investigations have already been opened for “endangerment and unintentional injuries”. Patrick Genay of the CFDT health and social union in Vosges regrets all these suspicious deaths, but he does not want us to blame the hospital employees, who were very affected by the events. “Management must initiate immediate procedures to see if there has been a malfunction or not. It is not the health professionals who are targeted. The local CFDT teams are in support of the hospital professionals .”

In the meantime, the scheduled surgery department is closed until next Wednesday, while the hospital and the ARS can conduct their internal investigation.