Homicide in the hospital setting: a rarely discussed reality. Case report.

Abstract

Justification: Worldwide and particularly in our country violence within hospitals is a frequent phenomenon that has been the subject of very limited academic inquiry. Moreover, criminal violence occurring in hospital settings not only disrupts the work environment but also significantly impacts the physical and mental health of both users and healthcare personnel.

Case Summary: 51-year-old male patient was admitted to a hospital at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with suspected SARS CoV-2 infection. On the third day of hospitalization, the patient was found missing from his bed and was reported as a suspected absconding case. Following an exhaustive search, the patient was discovered deceased in one of the ward’s bathrooms. Initially, myocardial infarction was suspected as the cause of death. However, after evaluation by the hospital’s forensic medical unit, the death was determined to be a homicide, and the case was referred for medicolegal autopsy.

Conclusion: The relevance of this case lies in its exposure of a rarely addressed issue and highlights the urgent need to systematically and academically study the phenomenon of violence within hospital settings.