A middle-aged man died after undergoing MRI under general anesthesia at Pihlajalinna in Kuopio, and the death was attributed to actions of both Pihlajalinna and the anesthesiologist involved.
In January 2025, a middle-aged man who received an MRI scan while under general anesthesia at Pihlajalinna's Kuopio facility tragically died shortly thereafter. The Investigation Board concluded that both the medical practices at Pihlajalinna and the actions of the anesthesiologist contributed to the patient's demise. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding patient safety protocols in medical practices involving anesthesia.
Sari Riihijärvi, Pihlajalinna's medical director, addressed these concerns in an interview with Yle, explaining the steps the organization is taking in response to the critical report by the Investigation Board. These steps include conducting an internal investigation and reviewing their current practices to improve oversight and prevent similar incidents in the future. The focus on patient safety has resulted in concrete changes to their operational protocols.
Moreover, Pihlajalinna has decided to cease performing MRIs under general anesthesia across all its units, acknowledging that such procedures were not part of the service offerings at their Kuopio branch prior to the incident. However, the fact that one was conducted highlights serious oversights in adherence to protocols designed to ensure patient safety. The medical center aims to restore trust and ensure that such a tragedy does not recur by implementing thorough oversight and monitoring measures.
