TOYAMA (Kyodo) A surgeon at a hospital in Imizu, Toyama Prefecture, said Wednesday he had removed respirators from six of seven patients who died between 2000 and 2005 at the hospital with consent from their families, although he admitted having no paperwork to back up this claim.
The 50-year-old surgeon, who has not been identified by the media, initially said family members of the seven patients were present when the respirators were removed at Imizu City Hospital and another doctor witnessed the removal in six of the seven cases. But later in the day, he said that he "could not recall" involvement with the family of one of the patients.
It is the first time the surgeon has agreed to be interviewed by the media since the hospital revealed the incidents Saturday.