Senate Endorses Law Nicolás: Crucial Step to Combat and Minimize Medical Errors
In a significant development for patient safety and healthcare in Argentina, the Senate approved the Nicolás Law against medical malpractice on Thursday, 2025. This law, also known as the Argentine law for patient safety, was the result of a long-fought battle by families of victims and advocates.
The law, proposed by Fabio Quetglas, was initially met with opposition from the Health Minister, Mario Lugones. However, the Senate took a different interpretive criterion, adding another year to the parliamentary status of the bill, ensuring its passage.
Gabriela Covelli, whose son Nicolás died due to medical malpractice, was one of the law's proponents. She argued that the law has a "zero fiscal cost" and proposed the addition of two tabs to the SISA system for recording adverse events. Covelli's son, Nicolás Deanna, passed away at the age of 24 in 2017.
The inclusion of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in neonatal screening was another significant aspect of the approved legislation. This genetic disease, which attacks voluntary muscles and is disabling, can be fatal in the most severe cases without early detection. The inclusion of SMA in neonatal screening has been a request that families of patients with this disease have been advocating for some time.
The Senate also granted initial approval to the inclusion of SMA in neonatal screening on the same day. This move is expected to improve early detection and treatment of SMA, potentially saving lives.
However, the approval of the Nicolás Law and the inclusion of SMA in neonatal screening were not the only health-related issues addressed in the Senate. The total number of presumed victims due to the administration of fentanilo contaminated with bacteria resistant to antibiotics is 127. Of these, 96 deaths have been investigated.
Recording adverse events not only involves recording malpractice where there is already damage but also potential causes, regardless of whether it occurred. The addition of two tabs to the SISA system for recording adverse events is expected to improve transparency and accountability in the healthcare sector.
Senator Edith Terenzi expressed her satisfaction, stating that after many battles, they have finally managed to have the Nicolás Law debated. Despite the challenges, the law's approval marks a significant step towards improving patient safety and healthcare in Argentina.
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