Doctors’ chamber pressures KABEG over Klagenfurt radiology unit

The Austrian Medical Chamber is urging Carinthia’s state government to secure the future of the intervention radiology department at Klagenfurt Hospital, ORF reported on Wednesday. The department provides acute care for stroke patients, but its continuation is threatened after its medical director resigned.

The department has four doctors, 17 radiology technologists and three nursing staff who provide round the clock care, particularly for stroke patients. Staff shortages caused by holidays and sick leave have led to bottlenecks.

Department head Luca De Paoli resigned after KABEG, the hospital operator, failed to meet his demands for better working conditions and additional staff, according to the report.

KABEG rejects the accusations. It says it repeatedly offered support from additional radiologists, but that De Paoli turned it down.

The Italian born specialist has worked at Klagenfurt Hospital since 2014. He is also reported to have resigned in 2023, but withdrew his resignation after KABEG promised him greater leadership responsibility and more influence over personnel decisions. The report suggests that KABEG may not have fully met those demands.

It remains unclear how Carinthia’s state government will respond to the Medical Chamber’s pressure. Health Minister Beate Prettner of the Social Democratic Party was not available to ORF for comment.

Patients who depend on rapid treatment after a stroke or in cases of other acute vascular diseases are affected by the dispute.