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The FOI Advocate is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible. The blog relies on the accuracy and integrity of the original sources cited. We will correct errors and inaccuracies when we become aware of them.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Medical Glitches at VA Hospitals ID'd by FOIA

Computer software glitches have exposed some patients at Veterans Affairs health centers to medical errors, including some in Wisconsin.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act say patients were given incorrect doses of drugs, had treatments delayed and sometimes were given prolonged infusions of drugs such as heparin, which can be life-threatening in excessive doses.

There's no evidence any patients were harmed. But, the issue is more pressing as the federal government begins promoting universal use of electronic medical records.

Nearly one-third of the VA's 153 medical centers reported seeing some kind of glitch, although the VA said that number could be higher since some facilities may not have filed reports.

More here. And here.

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