A shocking medical error at Joan March Hospital in Bunyola, Mallorca, has come to light. An elderly woman, initially declared dead by hospital staff, was discovered alive in a morgue in Palma. Funeral home employees found the woman showing signs of life, prompting an emergency response.
The woman, who had been in a severely weakened state, was admitted to the hospital where a doctor declared her dead on Friday. Following standard procedures, her body was transferred to the Son Valentí morgue in Palma. However, workers preparing her for funeral arrangements noticed movement in her fingers and immediately alerted emergency services. A mobile ICU unit transported her back to the hospital, where she received medical care. Her vital signs were stable upon reassessment.
Ministry of Health confirms Mallorca hospital error
The Balearic Islands’ Ministry of Health has confirmed the incident, stating that the hospital contacted the Municipal Funeral Company of Palma to handle the situation after the initial declaration of death. According to the ministry, all standard procedures for such cases were followed.
The alleged corpse had already reached the morgue at Palma’s cemetery when the error was discovered. The woman’s survival prompted swift action by the funeral home staff, preventing a tragic mistake.
Hospital protocol under review
Joan March Hospital, which specializes in end-of-life care, described the incident as unprecedented in its 80-year history. A hospital spokesperson confirmed that the doctor had adhered to existing protocols. However, the hospital has now announced plans to revise its procedures for confirming death.
The hospital’s management stated that additional tests would be introduced to verify death declarations, and the current protocols would undergo a comprehensive review to prevent such errors in the future.
Exceptional case highlights need for change
While the hospital emphasised the extraordinary nature of the incident, it serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent checks in critical medical processes. The revised protocols aim to ensure such an error does not occur again, safeguarding patients and their families from unnecessary distress.