The woman was already informed by the medical staff that she cannot switch off the ventilator as it is vital for the patient to survive. But she didn't listen and now she is jailed on suspicion of attempted manslaughter. It has also been confirmed by authorities that the older patient had to be revived and, while her life is not in danger, still requires intensive care.
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A 72-year-old woman is facing jail time after she allegedly switched off her roommate's ventilator and that too twice. The reason? She was annoyed by the sound it made, authorities in Germany have reported.
Following the incident at a hospital in Mannheim last week, police arrested the woman on suspicion of attempted manslaughter.
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Police and prosecutors said in a statement that the suspect is alleged to have switched off a 79-year-old woman's ventilator and, despite then being told by staff that it was vital for the patient, switched it off again later in the evening.
The older patient had to be revived and, while her life is not in danger, still requires intensive care, authorities said.
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Police and prosecutors stated on Thursday that the 79-year-old bedbound neighbor was dependent on the oxygen supply.
The suspect was brought before a judge on Wednesday and taken to jail.
Ventilators blow oxygen into the lungs of patients to help them breathe.
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These devices became essentially important for saving lives during the covid outbreak that claimed more than 6 million lives.
It is not reported what the elderly woman is suffering from.
Healthcare international reports approximately 25,000 German patients are on ventilators throughout the country.
Tens of thousands of new devices were ordered when the pandemic reached its highest point in 2021.