Chiba police arrest midwife over death of hospital patient found with faeces in IV line

Chiba prefectural police in Japan arrested a 51-year-old former nurse and midwife on 15 July on suspicion of murder, after investigators alleged she contaminated a hospitalised patient's intravenous drip with human faeces, causing his death.

The suspect, Miyuki Furukawa, was named by police as a resident of Toyoshiki, Kashiwa City. She was working as a nurse at Kashiwa Tanaka Hospital, in the Koaota district of Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, at the time of the alleged offence.

According to Chiba prefectural police's first investigation division, Furukawa is suspected of introducing faecal matter into the extension tubing of an intravenous drip administered to a 75-year-old unemployed man from Toride, Ibaraki Prefecture, at around 4am on 30 January.

The patient, who had been conversing normally the day before his condition suddenly deteriorated, died at around 10.30pm on 31 January.

A judicial autopsy determined the cause of death to be multiple organ failure resulting from sepsis.

Reports by the Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun said hospital staff noticed a substance that had turned brown inside the drip tubing. Forensic analysis of bacteria found in the substance indicated it was human faeces.

Police said Furukawa was on night duty at the time of the incident and, together with another licensed practical nurse, was responsible for the ward in which the patient was staying.

On 1 February, the day after the patient died, hospital staff reported the case to Chiba prefectural police's Kashiwa station, stating that a patient's condition had suddenly worsened and that a foreign substance may have been introduced into the drip.

Police said they identified the suspect after reviewing security camera footage and examining conditions at the scene.

Furukawa left her position at the hospital at the end of February. Under questioning, she has denied the allegations, telling investigators, according to reports, that she denies introducing faeces into the tubing.

The hospital is operated by Aoi-kai, a medical corporation. In a statement released on the evening of 15 July, Aoi-kai confirmed that "former nurse Miyuki Furukawa has been arrested on suspicion of murder" and apologised for the "great concern and anxiety" caused to patients, their families and others connected to the hospital.

The statement said the incident represented conduct "absolutely unacceptable, whether as a healthcare worker or as a human being," adding that the hospital maintained standard medical protocols despite the incident occurring. Aoi-kai said it would fully cooperate with investigators, work to clarify the facts, and take steps to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

A hospital employee, reached while leaving work, told reporters they had learned of the case from news reports and had not believed such an incident could occur at the facility. The employee said they did not know Furukawa personally and described being shocked by the news.