Medical errors hidden after law changed

Posted by ConnPolitics.tv Staff on November 15th, 2009

Hartford (AP) – Changes made five years ago to a Connecticut law aimed at revealing medical mistakes at hospitals have allowed the facilities to keep more errors secret, a Hartford Courant analysis shows.

According to The Hartford Courant, the newspaper examined state health department records, death certificates, medical examiner reports and lawsuits. It found that narrower reporting requirements in the revised law have allowed hospitals to keep more mistakes from being reported to state regulators.

It also found fewer state investigations into such cases.

The General Assembly in 2002 ordered hospitals to disclose all serious patient injuries that were “associated with medical management.” But that law was later changed in 2004 to limit the types of adverse events that must be revealed.

| Posted in News, General Assembly
| 9 feedbacks »
Comment from: Steve [Visitor] Email · http://www.paratrooper.net
This is a teaser about a serious issue with no real information. Which hospitals were found to cover their tracks the most for example? What was the raw number for incidents? Which doctors are most often involved?

11/15/09 @ 19:44
Comment from: Sarah [Visitor] Email
This is another example as to why the government should not be involved with health care.
11/15/09 @ 20:38
Comment from: Working Man [Visitor] Email
No people, this is an example of why the baby Bush administration tried to screw the public. Now it is time for a change and the Democrats will deliver. (again)
11/15/09 @ 21:22
Comment from: Sarah [Visitor] Email
It makes no difference as to which political party is in control. The government is the problem as proven on every venture they undertake.
Lets keep the government out of health care it simply not healthy.
11/15/09 @ 22:07
Comment from: Janie [Visitor] Email
Another Bush hater chimes in. What has that got to do with a CT law? Who in CT changed this law in 2004 is more relevant. Blaming Bush for a CT law is just plain stupid. Sarah is right -the government absolutely does not belong in our health system and I don't care which party they are. That has nothing to do with it.
11/16/09 @ 06:42
Comment from: Hosed By The System [Visitor] Email
LOL...one of these days and will be coming SOON, the blaming of Bush for everything this administration has "inherited" is going to get "OLD" & sickening.....

""Democrats will deliver AGAIN...."

lol


deliver what???

MORE government???

MORE needless expense??


Move us CLOSER to bankruptcy than we aleady are???


Yup...THEY HAVE done THAT alright.......

lol
11/16/09 @ 07:32
Comment from: Alice [Visitor] · http://www.affordableaccuracy.com
I thought all hospitals covered for doctors mistakes as much as possible, and that doctors covering for one anothers mistakes was a given. I doubt any laws (state or federal) are going to change that.

Face it folks, you need to get the facts on any procedures you're having done and research all medical issues yourself and with other doctors before proceeding with your healthcare. Do NOT trust your government to regulate doctors or hospitals into protecting you.
11/16/09 @ 09:38
Comment from: GLENNA MACDONALD [Visitor] Email
I am still liveing a nightmare.
I may never snap out of it.
It is a lonley corner of the world you end up in.
You try to make the best of it.
Amuse yourself.
Then when you finish praying at night that darkblackhole suction cup swallows you you gasp yourself back to reality and somehow fall asleep and wake to the same nightmare.
~Peace Glenna~
11/16/09 @ 12:08
Comment from: Independant Observer [Visitor] Email
After being in the medical industry for 30 years, I can assure you that government over regulation is the problem not the solution. This problem of the hospital is more of a management problem. The problem is legislation can not deal with incompetency and dereliction of duty as well as honest mistakes. Regulation and laws sound good, but when over extended they become more of a problem. Unfortunately, politicians are not known for common sense, which is the solution in most situations.
11/16/09 @ 16:37

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