Police Probe Irish Granny Declared Dead in Ambulance Who 'Woke Up' in Hospital
A Hospital Mystery
An investigation is underway after an 89-year-old Irish grandmother declared dead in the back of an ambulance "woke up" hours later in a hospital. Eileen Burns was pronounced dead by paramedics on Monday after they were called to her home in County Clare.
Her body was taken to University Hospital Limerick, where staff were preparing her for burial when they noticed signs of life. She is now in a stable condition in intensive care.
Cause of Confusion
The cause of the mix-up is not yet known, but the incident has raised concerns about the accuracy of death declarations made by paramedics. The Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation into the incident.
A spokesperson for the HSE said: "We are aware of the incident and are investigating it. We are committed to ensuring that all patients receive the highest possible standard of care."
Legal Implications
The incident has also raised legal questions about the implications of declaring someone dead who is still alive. In Ireland, it is a criminal offense to falsely declare someone dead.
A spokesperson for the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) said: "This is a very unusual case. It is important to remember that death is a legal determination, and it is not always easy to make."
Lessons Learned
The incident has prompted calls for a review of the procedures for declaring someone dead. The ICGP has called for the introduction of a mandatory waiting period before a death can be declared.
A spokesperson for the ICGP said: "We believe that a mandatory waiting period would help to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future."
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