Scandal at the Italian Hospital: Investigating drug theft and parties organized by an anesthetist

The death of a resident of the Rivadavia Hospital due to an overdose of propofol and fentanyl triggered an investigation that exposed the theft of drugs at the Italian Hospital and the separation of two professionals.

As a result, a shortage of these drugs was detected at the Italian Hospital and the existence of an organization linked to the misuse of anesthetic substances began to be reconstructed.

In this context, evidence emerged of encounters known as the “Propofol Festival”, where drugs commonly used to sedate patients in medical procedures such as endoscopies were used. These meetings had two different modalities.

On the one hand, there were sexual encounters to which the anesthesiologist Hernán Boveri, from the Italian Hospital, invited people from his environment.

On the other hand, experiences were also organized that were offered to customers, who participated in what was described as “controlled trips”.

In both cases, the use of the substances was dosed and had some kind of medical supervision. As it transpired, at the meetings there was a person responsible for dealing with possible complications, equipped with an ambo, a device used to provide immediate respiratory assistance in

apnea situations.

Regarding the deceased, an Instagram post by doctors at the Gutierrez Hospital, where he also worked, named him Alejandro Salazar, nicknamed “Alito”. His death was the starting point for following the drug circuit and detecting irregularities in their management

.

According to the institution, after an internal complaint, the incident was immediately reported to the hospital authorities and then to the Justice, with which they claim to be fully cooperating.

In addition, it was decided to separate two people involved: the anesthesiologist Hernán Boveri and the resident Delfina Lanusse, who are no longer performing functions in the

establishment while the investigation progresses.

The hospital also indicated that the corresponding institutional procedures were activated and that a comprehensive review of control and security mechanisms in drug management was initiated, with the objective of strengthening supervision and avoiding similar situations in the future.

Along the same lines, they indicated that they are working together with the Association of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Reanimation of Buenos Aires (AAARBA) to analyze these types of cases, which, they noted, have been reported in other institutions of the health system.

Finally, the entity reaffirmed its commitment to safety and quality in medical care, although it clarified that it will not provide further details because this is an ongoing investigation.