Hartford Hospital’s probation was lifted on May 1 by the state Department of Public Health. The hospital’s one-year probation should have been lifted on Feb. 8. However, DPH officials extended the probation after state investigators discovered more than 30 new public health code violations, including one in which a 13-inch surgical instrument was left inside a patient’s abdomen for more than two weeks following surgery.
The 867-bed hospital had been cited for multiple, systemic public health code violations in 2008. The probation followed previous consent orders in 2006 and in 2007.
An e-mail was sent to hospital staff on May 5 announcing that DPH had rescinded the hospital’s probation. Hospital officials said DPH’s evaluation “resulted in a very positive review,” which they said confirmed the hospital’s efforts toward improving patient safety and quality.
“Our goal is to gain national recognition as a leader in patient safety and quality, and we have made tremendous strides over the past year in achieving this status,” stated the-mail, which was signed by Elliot Joseph, Hartford Hospital president and CEO, Jeffrey Flaks, executive vice president and chief operating officer, and Dr. Jamie Roche, vice president, patient safety and quality.
The hospital amended its improvement plan on Feb. 25.
Among the additional violations uncovered by DPH investigators that prolonged the hospital’s probation, a patient who had been discharged from the hospital after abdominal surgery in January returned to the hospital emergency room complaining of extreme stomach and back pain.
A CT scan revealed that a 2-inch by 13-inch malleable ribbon retractor had been left inside the patient for more 15 days following the surgery.
The probation was lifted after a two-day visit by state investigators, who found that the hospital was in full compliance with state health care regulations, said William Gerrish, DPH spokesman.
“The department feels that the hospital has made very significant progress in addressing issues identified in the consent order and improving the overall quality of care provided at the hospital,” he said.
