An 80-year-old female died in Tel Aviv’s Tel Hashomer Hospital Sunday during an emergency surgical procedure after receiving the wrong blood type.

The preliminary investigation reveals the medical team did not adhere to the strict protocol set by the Health Ministry which is intended to prevent mixing up blood types in a surgical situation. The hospital has suspended the anesthesiologist for two weeks pending the outcome of the investigation. The hospital is conducting an investigation, reporting its findings to the ministry, while the ministry is conducting its own probe into the death.

Hospital officials released a statement that advanced resuscitation was attempted, without success, compelling doctors to pronounce the woman dead.

Hospital officials met with family members and explained the chain of events that led to the elderly patient’s death.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)