Marseille Hospitals Fined for Involuntary Manslaughter in Alzheimer's Patient Case
The Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM) has been sentenced to a suspended fine of 50,000 euros for involuntary manslaughter following the tragic death of Jean Ligonnet, a 72-year-old patient suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Ligonnet was found dead in a disused wing of the hospital on September 3, 2019, fifteen days after he disappeared from the hematology department where he was receiving treatment.
On August 19, 2019, Ligonnet was transported from his nursing home to the Marseille hospital for treatment. After being left unattended in front of the nursing station, he vanished without a trace. Despite extensive searches conducted by both the hospital staff and his family, it wasn't until weeks later that his body was discovered in a locked room on the sixth floor, which had been unused for five years. The identification was made possible through a tattoo on his shoulder, which was only partially visible due to the condition of the body.
Court Findings and Security Lapses
During the court proceedings, Judge Laure Humeau highlighted that while the AP-HM was exonerated of negligence regarding the reception of Ligonnet, the lack of security in the disused wing and the ineffective search efforts were critical factors leading to his death. The court noted that the area where Ligonnet was found was accessible via emergency stairs, and alarms triggered during the initial searches did not lead to thorough investigations. Security personnel had passed by the room where he was found on multiple occasions without noticing him.
The court emphasized the need for better protocols to ensure patient safety, particularly for vulnerable individuals. It was noted that the nursing home had failed to inform the hospital about Ligonnet’s history of wandering and his transfer to a closed unit, which could have influenced the hospital’s response.
Institutional Response and Future Measures
François Crémieux, the Director General of AP-HM, expressed deep regret over the incident, stating, "There is no death more atrocious than being locked up in this gloomy and dirty place." He acknowledged the institution's responsibility to improve its procedures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The court's ruling serves as a wake-up call for hospitals to implement stringent measures to safeguard against patient disappearances, especially in light of the AP-HM's acknowledgment of daily occurrences of patients going missing within their facilities.
