A nurse at the University Hospital of Larissa in central Greece has been suspended after mistakenly administering the wrong medication to a cancer patient on Thursday, prompting an official investigation into the incident.
According to hospital sources, the patient — who was scheduled to receive a specific cancer treatment — was inadvertently given a different drug. The nurse reportedly realized the mistake during the procedure and immediately stopped the infusion.
Doctors were called to examine the patient, and initial assessments indicate that the patient’s health was not adversely affected.
Hospital Statement and Investigation
In a statement, the hospital confirmed the incident and emphasized that no harm was caused to the patient.
“During the administration of chemotherapy at the Oncology Clinic of the University Hospital of Larissa, it was discovered that the wrong medication had been given. The nurse in charge stopped the procedure immediately and informed the attending physician, who examined the patient and confirmed that her health was not at risk,” the statement read.
The patient remains under observation as her treatment continues. The hospital added that an urgent internal disciplinary inquiry — known in Greece as an EDE (Administrative Investigation) — has been ordered to determine how the error occurred.
The nurse involved has been removed from the Oncology Department pending the outcome of the investigation.
Third Similar Incident in Recent Weeks
This is the third reported case of medical error in a Greek hospital in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, a 22-year-old patient at Attikon Hospital in Athens was mistakenly given the wrong antibiotic, leading to an allergic reaction.
Last month, a 28-year-old pregnant woman in Arta, western Greece, died after suffering anaphylactic shock caused by an incorrect drug being administered.
