title: [Silent death in the recovery room--organizational fault with fatal consequences].
abstract: Cases of death related to simple routine outpatient surgery are repeatedly reported. Minimum standards of staff and medical equipment for postoperative surveillance are deliberately ignored for economic reasons. Using two case studies this article identifies classical types of medical malpractice and organizational fault. Recommendations for criminal investigation in this type of cases are outlined for the competent authorities.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin der LMU München.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zinka
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Neelmeier
mesh_terms: D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001926:Brain Death / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D035881:Compensation and Redress / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011997:Recovery Room / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014081:Tooth Extraction