Maine’s largest healthcare system in the US mistakenly sent hundreds of letters to patients’ families, incorrectly informing them that their relatives had d!ed.
MaineHealth sent the letters to the families of 531 still-living patients in late October, signed by the system, which expressed condolences and provided advice on how to settle the deceased’s estate.
In the letters, the hospital writes: ‘We would like to express our condolences on the passing of [your relation].
‘We are reaching out to keep you informed about next steps related to [their hospital account and bill].’
A spokesperson at MaineHealth, which also has patients in New Hampshire, blamed the blunder on a malfunction with its computer system.
They said that further letters were also sent to clarify the error and apologize for any distress or inconvenience that was caused.
Patients who were affected have, however, said they were left feeling ‘pretty upset’ and ‘shocked’ by the error.
MaineHealth runs eight hospitals and an ‘extensive network’ of clinics in Maine and New Hampshire that together see more than 1.1million patients every year and employ 24,000 people.
One female patient who was sent the letter saying she had died told Maine news provider 13WGME that she was, in fact, still very much alive.
The individual, who asked not to be named, said: ‘It was pretty upsetting to open that. Why would they say I was dead? So, it was really shocking and upsetting.’
She said she was worried it could cause problems if the hospital actually reported her de@d to officials, and contacted them immediately to say that she was alive and well.
The patient added: ‘[A spokesman] said he was aware of the issue, and that they were going to send out apology letters, so I’m thinking there’s other people.
‘And he’s like, “I’m glad to hear that you’re still alive and well”, and I’m like, “Yeah, me too”. And then that was the end of the conversation.’
A spokesperson for the hospital said no one who received the letters was marked dead in medical records and that patient care was not affected.
In a statement, they said: ‘MaineHealth sincerely regrets this error and has sent apology letters to all patients who have been affected.
‘At no time were these patients listed as deceased in their medical records, and the issue has been fully resolved.’
