A controversy over "minister-level knife replacement" broke out outside Zhongrong Shen, and the central government will refer it to legal proceedings for clarification. (Licensed by NightSpark)
[Reporter Lin Zhiyi/Report from Taipei] Recently, the Zhongrong Neurosurgery Department broke out again about the "ministerial substitute surgery" controversy. Director of Neurosurgery Zou Xikai was accused of asking a manufacturer to perform endoscopic surgery on behalf of the surgeon. The whistleblower also posted a video to prove it, but the doctor involved angrily accused the relevant evidence of falsification. The Department of Medical Affairs of the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that after receiving the report in mid-October, it requested the Taichung City Health Bureau to initiate an administrative investigation at the end of October. The relevant results have not yet been received. As for whether the evidence is false, it will be clarified by the Health Bureau.
Kuo Weizhong, special committee member of the Department of Medical Affairs, said that the Ministry of Health and Welfare received the report in the mailbox of the Minister of Health and Welfare on October 15. Therefore, the Ministry of Health and Welfare requested the Taichung City Health Bureau to initiate an administrative investigation on October 22 and reported the investigation results back to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Although the Taichung City Health Bureau has not yet responded to the investigation status, it is reported that the Taichung City Health Bureau has transferred relevant evidence to the inspection for further investigation.
Guo Weizhong said that the Department of Medical Affairs promulgated the "Guidelines for the Management of Medical Equipment Vendor Personnel Entering the Operating Room by Medical Institutions" on August 3, clarifying the relevant regulations for the entry of medical equipment vendor personnel into the operating room, including that they are not allowed to directly contact the patient or operate the medical equipment on the patient, issue medical instructions, or other actions involving patient handling.
In addition, Guo Weizhong said that if there is any violation after investigation, a fine of not less than 100,000 and not more than 500,000 can be imposed in accordance with the "Physician Law". The scope of practice of the doctor involved can be restricted, suspended from business for more than one month but not more than one year, or his or her practicing license can be revoked. If the circumstances are serious, his or her medical certificate can be revoked.
As for the doctor who was accused this time, he believes that the photos used for reporting may have been altered by AI. Kuo Weizhong said that the actual situation and preliminary investigation will be clarified by the Taichung City Health Bureau. As for whether there is any alteration, the investigation unit will also identify whether the evidence is credible.
Guo Weizhong said that Zhongrong had previously experienced cases of medical supplies being substituted for knives. In addition to being transferred to the inspection and investigation office, the Ministry of Health and Welfare also commissioned the Medical Policy Council to conduct a follow-up counseling visit at the beginning of this year. Last week, they also went to Zhongrong again to understand whether its disease safety culture, governance and management have been improved.
