The Indiana State Department of Health has released its Medical Error Reporting System report for 2013.
The report shows that medical staffers across the state performed 18 surgeries on the wrong patient body parts in 2013, 27 foreign objects were found in patients after surgery and two deaths or serious disabilities associated with contaminated devices were also noted. That‘s down from seven in 2012.
The health department now reports medical errors as required by executed order issued by former Governor Mitch Daniels back in 2005.
The goal of the report is to raise awareness and improve patient safety.