Director of the replaced Portimão Emergency Department, with no relation to user death

O director of the Emergency Service of the Hospital of Portimão was replaced in office, in a decision that “is not related” to the death of an 87-year-old man, occurred on Wednesday, told Lusa hospital source today.

The same source did not clarify the concrete reasons for the replacement or identify the new person responsible for the service, merely refusing a direct relationship with the case of the user who died early on Wednesday after about 10 hours of waiting in that emergency.

The Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS) announced today that it will set up an inquiry to ascertain the circumstances of the death of an 87-year-old man who was waiting for assistance at the Portimão Emergency Service.

Also the General Inspection of Health Activities (IGAS) confirmed to Lusa that it will open an inquiry to clarify the case, occurred early on Wednesday, after about 10 hours of waiting.

According to data revealed by the Algarve's ULS, the user resorted to urgency around 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, with complaints of vomiting and abdominal pain, having been screened with a yellow bracelet.

It was called for medical observation around 4:00 on Wednesday, not having responded to the call. The nurses found him unconscious in the waiting room.

The hospital administration rejected the information that the man died in the waiting room, ensuring that the death occurred in the resuscitation room, after the patient had been subjected to maneuvers of resuscitation unsuccessfully.

According to the Algarve's ULS, the man had several comorbidities, including a previous stroke and other chronic diseases, but the symptoms presented did not allow to anticipate the fatal outcome.

The user was not accompanied by relatives, but was in an area permanently attended by health professionals and other users, clarified the institution.