Who provided false information for days: UKCS finally confirmed Prazina died before surgery

The University Clinical Center Sarajevo confirmed to the Patria News Agency that Safet Prazina (42), who was seriously injured at a construction site in Ilidža on May 23, was not operated on at all and that he died from his serious injuries on the same day at 5:30 PM. The drama unfolded between Ilidža, the "Prim.dr. Abdulah Nakaš" General Hospital, and the UKCS premises.

On May 23, information confirmed by the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP KS) was published on all portals, stating that the accident occurred after 3 PM. In the evening, around 10 PM, the MUP KS again stated that the injured worker was still alive but in serious condition.

The next day, May 24, portals and media, again citing the Sarajevo Canton MUP, published information that the injured man had undergone surgery at UKCS and was admitted to the Clinic for Abdominal Surgery, and that he died during the night from injuries sustained in the abdominal area.

Information about the accident in Ilidža was published for two days, but neither the initials nor the full identity of the injured or deceased worker were mentioned, which had been customary until then.

It is also indicative that someone from the MUP KS provided incorrect information, both about the time the accident occurred and about the fact that the unfortunate man

was operated on and still alive, when he had been dead for hours. Also indicative is the silence of UKCS on this matter, whose director, Dr. Sebija Izetbegović, told NAP on May 26 that she "heard for the first time about the five-hour drama in the fight for Safet Prazina's life.".

How was it permissible for the MUP KS to provide information about an injured worker? Who provided them with incorrect information? Someone from UKCS?

Why did UKCS not issue a statement at least on May 24, when it was announced that he died during the night, knowing that he was not even operated on and that he died at 5:30 PM? When was the family informed about everything, was it on Monday, May 23, or Tuesday, May 24?

Again, hundreds of unanswered questions, which the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office, where a case has already been opened regarding the accident in Ilidža and an autopsy has been requested, must answer. The autopsy confirmed that Prazina had chest and abdominal injuries.

Furthermore, according to information from the Patria News Agency, medical documentation in Safet Prazina's case has already been collected from the General Hospital, and the same will be done at the Emergency Medical Service and UKCS.

Only after the Patria News Agency published the story about the five-hour drama that unfolded on May 23, and the statement from the director of the Emergency Medical Service, Sena Softić Taljanović, who confirmed to us that they received the request to send a team at 1:21 PM, and that by 1:29 PM she was already on the scene providing assistance to the injured worker and transported him by ambulance to the "Prim.dr. Abdulah Nakaš" General Hospital, did this case begin to be clarified.

On that day, the patient was not taken to the UKCS Intensive Care Unit (KUM) because it was Monday, when, by internal agreement between the director of UKCS, Dr. Sebija Izetbegović, and the acting director of the General Hospital, Dr. Sead Bašić, the General Hospital was exclusively responsible for urgent cases.

At the General Hospital, the seriously injured man received surgical care; however, it was assessed that due to the severity of his injuries, he had to be immediately transported to the UKCS Intensive Care Unit. At that time, the only CT scanner owned by the General Hospital was out of order, which was reported to UKCS.

He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit by the on-call surgeon, who, after examination, sent the patient to Radiology, where a CT scan of his head, cervical spine, and facial bones was performed at 4:40 PM.

The patient was returned to the Clinic for Abdominal Surgery, where one of the more experienced surgeons, seeing the condition of the unfortunate man, immediately ordered him to be taken to the operating room. Unfortunately, it was already too late. Safet Prazina had died even before the surgery.

Although we asked UKCS specific questions, we received incomplete answers to some of them, which will certainly be the subject of the investigation conducted by the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Sarajevo.

Below the answers we received are the names of the members of the KUM Functioning Team: Prof. Dr. Mirsad Kacila, Head of the Team, Acting Director of Surgical Disciplines; Prof. Dr. Sandra Vegar – Zubović, Director of Diagnostic Disciplines; Doc. Dr. Nermina Bešlić, Director of Internal Medicine Disciplines; and Prof. Dr. Enra Suljić, Acting Director of the Science and Teaching Discipline.

Questions and answers received from UKCS

At what time on May 23, 2016, was the seriously injured worker brought to the UKCS Intensive Care Unit?

Patient P.S., born in 1974, was admitted to the UKCS Intensive Care Unit on 05/23/2016 at 4:03 PM, after notification from the General Hospital and accompanied by their medical team.

What is the name of the on-call surgeon who admitted and examined him?

The patient was admitted by the UKCS Intensive Care Unit on-call team.

Why did the on-call surgeon, despite the findings received from colleagues at the "Prim.dr. Abdulah Nakaš" General Hospital, decide to send the seriously injured worker to Radiology for a head CT scan?

The patient arrived at UKCS without prior diagnostics performed at the General Hospital. Given the extremely serious general condition, the patient was urgently sent for a CT scan accompanied by an anesthesia team, and the on-call abdominal surgeon was immediately called, who, after the head CT scan, indicated an attempt at emergency surgery. However, it could not be performed because resuscitation measures were being administered to the patient, which ended in exitus.

What is the name of the abdominal surgeon who intervened and requested that the seriously injured worker be urgently taken to the operating room?

The on-call abdominal surgeon indicated surgery, however, the surgical procedure was not performed because resuscitation measures were administered to the patient multiple times, after which the patient exited.

Why was information published in the media that the seriously injured worker underwent surgery, when the unfortunate man died even before the surgery began?

The KCUS never provided information that the patient underwent surgery.

At what time did the seriously injured worker die?

The injured worker P.S. died at 5:30 PM on May 23, 2016.

Will an internal investigation be conducted into this case?

An internal investigation has been conducted, and it was concluded that everything was done in accordance with medical protocols and good medical practice.