Private hospital negotiates price with heart attack patient: Investigation launched into the incident
It has been alleged that a private hospital in Istanbul negotiated the price of a stent with a patient while they were on the operating table after suffering a heart attack. The Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate has launched an investigation into the incident.
12punto
51-year-old B.T. visited a hospital on January 13 complaining of chest pain. Following examinations, it was determined that three of his arteries were blocked, and B.T. was referred to a private hospital on the grounds that he required an emergency angiography. It is alleged that while B.T. was on the operating table, the hospital's accountant approached him and began negotiating the price for the stent to be inserted into his heart. Following reports of the incident in the media, the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate announced that it had launched an investigation.
B.T. claimed that during the angiography, the hospital accountant entered the operating room and discussed stent prices with him. It was reported that the accountant engaged in price bargaining, saying, "There are options for 15, 18, and 20."
According to the report on the Arena program broadcast on SZC TV, B.T. stated that he requested the most affordable stent be used, but that 50 thousand liras were demanded for the third stent. He further argued that payments were collected in cash and that this method was used to prevent complaints.
Istanbul Medical Chamber President Prof. Dr. Osman Küçükosmanoğlu evaluated the incident and made the following assessment:
'A negotiation like this cannot be conducted with a patient on the operating table. It is not possible for the patient to make a sound decision at that moment. This situation is unacceptable both medically and legally.'
Küçükosmanoğlu emphasized that the additional fees that can be charged in private hospitals are determined by legislation and that such practices are against the law. He also stated that physicians should not allow such a situation to occur.
Following the media coverage of the incident, the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate launched an investigation into the hospital in question. Officials announced that the allegations are being investigated and that necessary actions will be taken.