University Medical Center Utrecht

The University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU; Dutch: Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht) is the main hospital of the city of Utrecht, Netherlands. It is affiliated with the Utrecht University. Since the foundation of the university in 1636 an academic hospital has existed in various forms. Nowadays the UMC Utrecht comprises the academic hospital, the faculty of Medicine as well as the Wilhelmina Children's hospital. In total approximately 10,000 people work at the UMCU including medical staff, nursing staff, residents, support personnel and researchers, making it one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands.

University Medical Center Utrecht
Geography
LocationUtrecht, Netherlands
Coordinates52°05′19″N 5°10′47″E
Organisation
TypeTeaching
Affiliated universityUtrecht University
Services
Emergency departmentI
History
Opened1636
Links
Websitewww.umcutrecht.nl
ListsHospitals in Netherlands

Special units

Adjacent to the UMCU lies the Central Military Hospital, or CMH, for military personnel.

The UMCU also features a Major Incident Hospital (Dutch: Calamiteitenhospitaal). This facility is intended for treating groups of more than five military or civilian casualties in case of major catastrophes, war casualties or in case of particular contagious diseases (for example, repatriated wounded Dutch citizens after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami).[1]

Controversy and scandals

On November 3, 2015, Dutch current affairs television program Zembla reported on a "culture of fear" in the ear, nose and throat department of the UMCU, that would have led to "avoidable" and "serious, deadly complications" endangering the safety of patients.[2] One case was reported in which a patient's carotid artery was accidentally cut during a surgery. The patient died a day later.

In April 2016 the Healthcare Inspectorate placed the UMCU on warning for poor healthcare and under increased supervision, after it was revealed that additional fatal incidents had been covered up.[3]

In July 2016 it was revealed that in 2015 six patients had developed an eye infection following an eye surgery at the UMCU. Four of these six patients have gone blind and hold the UMCU responsible. The UMCU had to close one of the operating rooms as a result.[4]

In December 2016 it was reported that at the UMCU dozens of women who underwent fertility treatment may have had eggs fertilized by sperm cells from someone other than the intended father due to a mix up. Half the women had become pregnant or given birth.[5]

References
  1. "Aims and Briefing". University Medical Center Utrech.
  2. "UMC Utrecht meldt dodelijke calamiteiten niet bij inspectie". Zembla Vara Netherlands.
  3. "UMC Utrecht onder verscherpt toezicht van Inspectie". NRC News. April 14, 2016.
  4. "Vier patiënten UMC blind aan een oog na ooginfectie". NRC News. July 22, 2016.
  5. "IVF mix-up: wrong sperm may have fertilised eggs of 26 women". The Guardian. December 28, 2016.
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