situation they consulted a private physician three days later who indicated that he had a complicated
situation with fever; she diagnosed him with septicemic shock and bilateral bronchopneumonia. 124
127.
Without prejudice to the considerations made on the lack of informed consent at the
moment of performing the procedure, the Commission does not have sufficient information to show
that the situation of Mr. Poblete Vilches was the result of inadequate medical care in the context of
the first admission to the hospital.
128.
Nonetheless, the Commission observes that there are several elements to take into
consideration regarding the decision to discharge Mr. Poblete Vilches.
129.
The Commission notes first of all that the very seriousness of his diagnosis – which
included pneumonia and septic shock, only three days after he was discharged from the hospital – is
an indication that Mr. Poblete Vilches should have remained hospitalized. In addition, the
Commission notes that the lack of information on the procedure that was performed on Mr. Poblete
Vilches could have had a negative impact on the family’s difficulties providing the care he needed
after he was discharged from the hospital. The Commission observes that the clinical record does not
show that any information was given to Mr. Poblete Vilches’s family members about the care he
needed or about his diagnosis and prognosis at the time he was discharged. To the contrary, the
family members have recounted that when called they were only asked to pick up Mr. Poblete Vilches
and told that they could not have a hospital ambulance for his transfer. The Commission observes,
moreover, that, as discussed below, there are indicia of structural deficiencies at the Hospital Sótero
del Río in terms of the availability of beds and sufficient infrastructure. This information, together
with the serious diagnosis received days later, suggests that the discharge of Mr. Poblete Vilches may
have been due to those structural conditions and not to his health needs.
130.
The Commission also observes that no explanation was obtained immediately after
the death, or in the context of the criminal investigation in the case that would allow one to
understand the reasons for Mr. Poblete Vilches’s severe deterioration from the moment he was
discharged and for the three days following until his re-admission to the hospital in extremely critical
condition.
131.
Based on all the above information examined as a whole, the Commission considers
that there is a sufficient basis to infer that the decision to discharge Mr. Poblete Vilches and the way
in which it was done could have contributed to his rapid deterioration in the days immediately after
his exit from the hospital and his subsequent death after being admitted the second time.
2.2.2
With respect to the medical care offered when he was admitted to the hospital
the second time
132.
The Commission established that on February 5, 2001, after the diagnosis by the
private physician who attended to Mr. Poblete Vilches, he was admitted once against to the Hospital
Sótero del Río. Mr. Poblete Vilches’s diagnosis was extremely critical upon the second admission,
including septic shock and pneumonia, among other organ failures. According to the facts proven, in
the section of the medical record on the second admission it is noted that he is a “Patient to ICU for
ventilatory support.” In the same section it indicates “No availability currently in medical or surgical
ICU. Will be given intermediate care until an ICU bed is available.” This situation of lack of beds in the
124 Annex 6. Criminal complaint filed November 12, 2001 by Blanca Margarita Tapia Encina and Cesia Poblete Tapia
before the First Civil Court (attached to the communication from the State of September 23, 2008); Annex 7. Criminal
complaint filed by Vinicio Marco Antonio Poblete Tapia on October 7, 2005 before the First Civil Court (attached to the
communication from the State of September 23, 2008); Annex 10. Statement by Sandra Zoraida Castillo Momtufar of
December 3, 2003 before the First Civil Court (attached to the communication from the State of September 23, 2008); Annex
11. Rp. issued by Sandra Castillo Momtufar on April 2, 2001 (attached to the communication from the State of September 23,
2008); and, Annex 4. Statement by Vinicio Marco Antonio Poblete Tapia of April 6, 2006 before the First Criminal Court
(attached to the communication from the State of September 23, 2008).
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