Hearing on hospital error reporting proposal

Yesterday the Public Health Committee heard SB-248, An Act Concerning Adverse Events at Hospitals and Outpatient Surgical Facilities. Proponents argue that the bill would close important loopholes in the current weak hospital system reporting including public reporting of errors -- so consumers could use the information in their medical decisions and put pressure on hospitals to improve patient safety. There is no evidence that secret reporting has improved patient safety. The bill would also require random audits of hospital safety, protect employees who report errors, and imposes penalties on hospitals that don’t comply. The CT Hospital Association opposes the bill claiming that the current law allowing reports to remain secret encourages hospitals to report errors.
Ellen Andrews