Connecticut Adverse Events Down 12%

The Connecticut Department of Public Health presented its annual report to the General Assembly with encouraging news: adverse events in Connecticut hospitals are down 12% from 2013 to 2014. The report, which is mandated by law, publicizes that there were 471 adverse events in 2014.

What is an adverse event? It is when a patient receives medical care, treatment, or medication where the patient is harmed. In some cases these adverse events may be considered medical malpractice.

The DPH report publicizes the following adverse event that might be considered medical malpractice:

• 15 occurrences of surgery at the wrong site
• 24 instances when a foreign object was left inside the patient’s body
• 2 occurrences where the patient died or was seriously injured as the result of improperly functioning equipment
• 78 instances where the patient fell after being admitted to a healthcare facility

If you or a loved one was seriously injured, contact our office immediately. The statute of limitations on cases like these is just two years in most cases, however there can be exceptions. Bob Messey, MD, JD and Gayle Sullivan, RN, JD will begin an immediate investigation into your case.