Hospital apologises after critical GP referrals were left in a box for more than a year
The incident has reportedly affected around 150 patients who were being investigated for cancer.
A hospital that still relies on paper records has apologised after critical GP referrals were left in a box untouched for more than a year, reportedly leading to at least one death.
Mildura Base Public Hospital reported the incident as a sentinel event to healthcare safety watchdog Safer Care Victoria earlier this month, after discovering the forgotten documents.
The diagnosis of the patient who died has not been revealed, but according to media reports, the referrals related to investigations for possible cancer, including colonoscopies.
The hospital’s acting CEO Matthew Jukes declined to comment on specific patient details but said that the hospital had strengthened its processes for receiving, tracking and managing referrals.
