Background
In Sweden’s Region Jönköping County, questions have arisen about how a pediatric heart condition was assessed and discharged for several children. After a cardiologist who worked at Ryhov County Hospital (Länssjukhuset Ryhov) left, clinicians noticed that some discharged cases seemed problematic. The discovery, first reported by P4 Jönköping, led to an external review aimed at understanding whether patients were properly evaluated before being sent home.
What happened and what sparked the review
The hospital’s new heart team alerted leadership that certain cases appeared to have been handled with doubt or insufficient certainty. Dr. Simon Rundqvist, the chief physician at Ryhov, explained that the process began with a focused look at five cases that had appeared in the patient discharge flow. One of those cases was eventually reported to the regulatory body Lex Maria and submitted to the Inspection for Health and Social Care (IVO). IVO concluded that the hospital had taken adequate steps to prevent a recurrence, and the individual doctor had already left Ryhov.
Expanding the inquiry
However, the seriousness of the situation prompted the team to broaden the scope. New concerns emerged, and the decision was made to review all patients discharged by the former physician. The investigation initially covered discharges from 2018 to 2022, using a systematic review of nearly 500 cases. The broader review later extended to include patients treated between 2014 and 2017, increasing the total to more than 700 journals under scrutiny. In total, 78 children were identified as needing a recall for re-evaluation.
Findings and current status
According to Ryhov’s leadership, there were concerns about both the quality of examinations and the interpretation of ultrasound images in several cases. Roughly half of the recalled patients—about 40—are expected to be re-admitted for continued observation, while six children have already been or will soon be scheduled for heart surgery. The newly initiated assessments emphasize that some patients may not have required surgery immediately, but the conditions warranted closer follow-up to rule out changes in the heart’s structure or function.
Impact on families: Eliza’s case
Among the affected families is Emelie Skörd Björnberg, whose daughter Eliza was initially deemed healthy after a serious early-life heart issue. Eliza was born with a hole between the atria, and she was declared free of the heart condition when she was about one year old. The family, who also manages a separate metabolic condition called hyperinsulinism, now faces renewed uncertainty as Eliza’s doctors have confirmed that the heart defects persist. Her mother recalls the relief of the original discharge, followed by confusion and concern as symptoms reappeared or persisted in later years.
Eliza’s current situation
Eliza is now eight years old and continues to be treated at the pediatric clinic for a congenital condition that complicates her overall health. The new assessment has led to Eliza being re-listed for heart care, with the hope that surgery will not be necessary if non-surgical management remains viable. The family emphasizes the importance of clear information and timely decisions, especially when a prior health decision was later questioned.
What happens next: cross-hospital cooperation
Because the focus includes a patient who previously worked with a doctor now affiliated with Barnhjärtcentrum in Lund, a complementary investigation has been initiated there as well. Barnhjärtcentrum’s leadership notes that the situation affects not only the children but also their families and every hospital involved. They are engaging with affected families in a careful, step-by-step manner to explain findings and next steps. For now, the doctor implicated in the reviews is not seeing patients; alternative duties have been arranged during the ongoing inquiry.
Regional implications and response
Region Jönköpings län acknowledges that this is a difficult and serious matter with far-reaching consequences. The aim is to safeguard patient safety and restore trust through thorough, transparent review processes. The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on ensuring proper clinical judgment and consistent interpretation of diagnostic imaging across centers. Dagens Nyheter (DN) reported attempting to contact the physician involved, but was unable to reach him as the inquiry proceeds.
