A 62-year-old woman remains intubated and in critical condition at Tzaneio Hospital after being given a blood transfusion with the wrong blood type—a shocking medical error that has stunned the hospital community. The woman’s family has filed a legal complaint against the nurse responsible, who reportedly confused patients and administered the blood to the wrong individual. An internal investigation is underway to determine the precise circumstances of the incident.

According to reports, the woman was admitted on Tuesday, June 3, for preoperative assessment ahead of a scheduled neurosurgical procedure the following morning. Around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, a night-shift nurse mistakenly gave her a unit of blood that was intended for another neurology patient in the same room who had already received a previous transfusion. Both patients were being treated in the hospital’s Second Internal Medicine ward due to a lack of beds in the neurology department. The night staff included two nurses and two nursing assistants.

The transfusion triggered a severe reaction almost immediately. The patient’s body rapidly rejected the incompatible blood type, resulting in hemolysis—the destruction of red blood cells—which caused a swift deterioration in her condition. She was intubated and transferred to the ICU. As of last night, she had already undergone surgery to treat a hematoma in her head. Doctors describe her condition as serious but currently stable.

Importantly, the incident does not reflect a lapse in blood safety or screening, but rather appears to be a case of human error.

The 30-year-old nurse reportedly realized the mistake right away and apologized to the patient’s family. Nevertheless, the family has pursued legal action. The hospital has launched an official disciplinary investigation, and both the Health Quality Assurance Organization (ODIPY) and the National Blood Donation Center (EKEA) are conducting their own inquiries. Under Greek law, the nurse will be suspended for at least one month during the judicial proceedings.

Health Minister Issues Apology

Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis publicly apologized to the patient and her family and has initiated a full investigation. He stated that once the error was discovered, the hospital administration immediately ordered a disciplinary review and contacted the public prosecutor. Both ODIPY and EKEA were instructed to launch parallel investigations.

“In light of this extremely serious incident at Tzaneio Hospital, the administration acted immediately by ordering a full investigation, the prosecutor was informed, and I instructed ODIPY and EKEA to begin their own inquiries. I wish the patient a swift recovery and extend my sincere apologies to her and her family,” Georgiadis wrote in a statement.

62-Year-Old Woman Intubated After Transfusion Error at Tzaneio Hospital – How the Nurse Made the Tragic Mistake

A 62-year-old woman remains intubated and in critical condition at Tzaneio Hospital after being given a blood transfusion with the wrong blood type—a shocking medical error that has stunned the hospital community. The woman’s family has filed a legal complaint against the nurse responsible, who reportedly confused patients and administered the blood to the wrong individual. An internal investigation is underway to determine the precise circumstances of the incident.

According to reports, the woman was admitted on Tuesday, June 3, for preoperative assessment ahead of a scheduled neurosurgical procedure the following morning. Around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, a night-shift nurse mistakenly gave her a unit of blood that was intended for another neurology patient in the same room who had already received a previous transfusion. Both patients were being treated in the hospital’s Second Internal Medicine ward due to a lack of beds in the neurology department. The night staff included two nurses and two nursing assistants.

The transfusion triggered a severe reaction almost immediately. The patient’s body rapidly rejected the incompatible blood type, resulting in hemolysis—the destruction of red blood cells—which caused a swift deterioration in her condition. She was intubated and transferred to the ICU. As of last night, she had already undergone surgery to treat a hematoma in her head. Doctors describe her condition as serious but currently stable.

Importantly, the incident does not reflect a lapse in blood safety or screening, but rather appears to be a case of human error.

The 30-year-old nurse reportedly realized the mistake right away and apologized to the patient’s family. Nevertheless, the family has pursued legal action. The hospital has launched an official disciplinary investigation, and both the Health Quality Assurance Organization (ODIPY) and the National Blood Donation Center (EKEA) are conducting their own inquiries. Under Greek law, the nurse will be suspended for at least one month during the judicial proceedings.

Health Minister Issues Apology

Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis publicly apologized to the patient and her family and has initiated a full investigation. He stated that once the error was discovered, the hospital administration immediately ordered a disciplinary review and contacted the public prosecutor. Both ODIPY and EKEA were instructed to launch parallel investigations.

“In light of this extremely serious incident at Tzaneio Hospital, the administration acted immediately by ordering a full investigation, the prosecutor was informed, and I instructed ODIPY and EKEA to begin their own inquiries. I wish the patient a swift recovery and extend my sincere apologies to her and her family,” Georgiadis wrote in a statement.