Tools

RI Hospital Fined $150K After Wrong Site Surgery

Chris Boardman

Story Created: Nov 2, 2009 at 5:43 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 2, 2009 at 6:34 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island health officials have fined a hospital $150,000 and ordered it to install video cameras in its operating rooms after it had its fifth wrong-site surgery since 2007.

In a letter sent Monday to Rhode Island Hospital, State Health
Director David Gifford says he's also ordering the hospital to
assign an employee to observe all surgeries at the hospital for at
least one year. The observer will monitor whether doctors are
marking the site to be operated on and taking a time out before
operating to ensure they're operating on the proper body part.

A spokeswoman for Rhode Island Hospital was not aware of the
order and did not immediately comment.

The most recent incident involved a surgeon who operated on the wrong finger. Three other cases involved brain surgeons.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Next article No Sign of Foul Play in Hart Death

Add a comment

More Good Stuff

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.