Police Seize Patient Records in Widening Dialysis Corruption Probe at Sant’Eugenio Hospital
Rome, Italy – In a significant escalation of a corruption scandal that has rocked the Sant’Eugenio Hospital, police have seized medical records of former patients from the Nephrology department. The move comes as investigators delve deeper into the activities of the now-detained former head of Nephrology, Roberto Palumbo, and his alleged illicit dealings with private dialysis centers.
This latest development, led by investigators under Roberto Pititto, marks a second phase of inquiries following the arrest of Palumbo and Maurizio Terra, the sole administrator of Dialeur, a private dialysis center. Their arrests stemmed from a 3,000 euro bribe allegedly paid by Terra to Palumbo for the transfer of a patient from the public hospital to Terra’s private facility.
Unraveling the Nephrologist’s Web of Deceit
The investigation is now meticulously examining the relationship between Palumbo’s professional activities and the private clinics involved in patient transfers. Specifically, medical records of former inpatients who subsequently underwent dialysis at facilities cited by Palumbo himself have been confiscated. Over the coming weeks, each patient’s case will be scrutinized to ascertain whether dialysis was indeed medically imperative, if their health worsened, or if any deaths occurred as a result of this alleged clandestine patient trafficking.
Simultaneously, the mobile phones of all fourteen individuals under investigation have been seized. This critical step aims to cross-reference communications, providing a comprehensive reconstruction of the network of contacts and financial transactions associated with these patient transfers.
The Shadowy Affiliations: Palumbo’s Alleged Schemes
Previous reports have shed light on the extent of Palumbo’s alleged schemes. These include accusations of ‘gifted’ prescriptions to prolong dialysis cycles, and claims by Maurizio Terra that Palumbo ‘stole’ the Dialeur clinic from him. Further revelations point to alleged hidden money with his ex-wife, fabricated consultations for his partner, and a proposition to a colleague for ‘her own’ dialysis center.
The intricate web of connections also reportedly involved ‘friendly’ clinics and patients ‘re-snatched’ at the last minute, with allegations that Palumbo could earn up to 22,000 euros a month through these illicit payments. The scandal has also brought into question the structure of dialysis services in Italy, where half of the centers are privately owned.
Patient Testimonies and Systemic Chaos
Disturbing testimonies from Palumbo’s patients have emerged, with one individual claiming her mother was discouraged from home dialysis, and that the department had been plagued by chaos for years. This suggests a potentially systemic issue within the nephrology department under Palumbo’s leadership.
Ethical and Legal Ramifications
The dual face of Dr. Roberto Palumbo, once a respected medical professional, is now under intense scrutiny. He is expected to be suspended from his profession, highlighting the severe ethical and legal ramifications of the unfolding scandal. The investigation into the necessity of dialysis treatments and the potential harm caused to patients underscores the gravity of the alleged corruption.
The seizure of these medical records is a pivotal moment in the investigation, promising to reveal the true human cost of the alleged illicit activities. As authorities piece together the evidence, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the patients and restoring integrity to the healthcare system.
Source: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/25_dicembre_11/primario-arrestato-acquisite-le-cartelle-cliniche-dei-degenti-di-nefrologia-al-sant-eugenio-tutte-quelle-dialisi-erano-davvero-cc128390-c2c8-4c21-a56e-5ea5dd68cxlk.shtml
