Pacheco: Medical Ethics Tribunal Addresses Negligence in Puerto Colombia

Pacheco's Death Sparks Medical Ethics Review

This Wednesday, September 4, the Medical Ethics Tribunal of Atlántico submitted a case to the National Medical Ethics Tribunal to sanction two specialists linked to the death of 17-year-old Luisa Fernanda Pacheco Peralta. The young girl suffered a tibia and fibula fracture after falling into a seven-meter-deep sewer in Puerto Colombia on September 14, 2022. Six days later, she died at Portoazul Clinic, allegedly after contracting a bacterium that caused health complications.

Negligent Medical Care Examined

• The request for sanctions is directed at specialists Juan Miguel de La Peña Toro (orthopedic trauma surgeon) and Fabián Andrés Figueroa Álvarez (internist).
• They are accused of inadequate and delayed care for the patient.
• It was reported that the internist evaluated her through a phone call rather than in-person, while the orthopedic surgeon scheduled surgery beyond the established protocol timeline.

“The patient presented with a tibia and fibula fracture of the left lower limb, accompanied by a wound on the inner face of the same limb. Based on this, the patient developed septic shock focusing on soft tissues, leading to her death,” reported the medical center at that time.

Additionally, the Health Superintendency intervened a few days after Pacheco Peralta's death was confirmed, noting suspicions of non-compliance in Portoazul Clinic's operations that might have affected service quality and continuity for the patient. The Medical Ethics Tribunal has called for explanations from the healthcare professionals who intervened with the young girl due to alleged irregularities in her care process.