Rhode Island Hospital Fined $150,000 for Wrong-Site Surgery

Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, R.I., has been fined $150,000 by the Rhode Island Department of Health for a wrong-site surgery, marking only the second time the Department has fined a hospital for this kind of error, according to a report from WPRI News.

On Oct. 23, surgeons began to operate on the incorrect finger of a patient, and the mistake was discovered and corrected, according to the report. This is the fifth wrong-site surgery at Rhode Island Hospital since 2007.

The Rhode Island Department of Health is also requiring the hospital to have an observer present at all operations to ensure surgeons use a pre-surgery checklist and take a time out prior to surgery to ensure that the right patient and area are being operated on, according to the report. Additionally, video cameras will be installed in operating rooms.

According to the report, the previous wrong-site surgery fine was also issued to Rhode Island Hospital.

Officials from the hospital say that they are working with the Department and the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare to correct this issue.

Read the report about the Rhode Island Hospital wrong-site surgery fine.