By Lee Kyung-min
A state human rights agency has asked the prosecution to investigate a doctor who allegedly caused the death of a 73-year-old patient in 2013 by tying him to a bed for more than 17 hours.
The patient, surnamed Jeon, was receiving treatment for alcohol addiction at a psychiatric hospital run by the doctor, identified as Choi.
In a complaint, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said Choi tied Jeon’s hands and feet to his bed and left him unattended for hours.
Choi said he did so after being told by a nurse that Jeon kept falling off the bed and refused to sleep.
However, according to related laws, hospital staffers are only allowed to deny patients physical freedom for the purpose of treatment. Also, such action is only allowed in limited cases.
The commission said Choi was negligent in his duty by not checking on the patient regularly to monitor possible changes or irregularities in his condition.
“Choi’s negligence caused Jeon’s death. He should be held responsible,” the complaint said.
According to a separate NHRC report in 2014, complaints filed regarding psychiatric facilities are on the rise: 1,337 in 2011; 1,805 in 2012; 2,172 in 2013; and 2,775 in 2014.
Violence and abuse against patients was the second-most frequently raised issue, after procedures regarding hospital admission.
The NHRC said it would conduct inspections regularly to minimize such complaints. It plans to do so without giving prior notice to keep the institutions alert at all times. Also, it suggested that surveillance camera footage be kept for at least a month.