Pennsylvania hospital allegedly ‘loses’ elderly woman there for treatment – We Got This Covered

A startling incident in Pennsylvania has underscored the importance of patient identification protocols at hospitals, as Rae Corrado says she experienced a case of hospital patient mix-up at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh. Expecting to find her mother, Gloria Corrado, in her assigned hospital bed, Rae was instead met with a stranger wearing her mother’s identification wristband.

“I don’t care what it says. It’s not my mom”

According to Pittsburgh news outlet WTAE, Rae had been awaiting her 72-year-old mother’s transfer from UPMC Presbyterian to UPMC Mercy for rehabilitation following a stroke. Upon arrival at Mercy, Rae was directed to her mother’s room, only to find an unfamiliar woman occupying the bed. 

Despite the wristband indicating the patient’s name as Gloria Corrado, Rae was adamant that the woman was not her mother. The staff initially insisted on the identification’s accuracy, leading to a tense exchange. “I said, ‘I don’t care what it says. It’s not my mom,” Rae told the staff.  

The search for Gloria

Confused and alarmed, Rae contacted staff at UPMC Presbyterian, who confirmed that her mother was still there, awaiting transfer. Gloria had been left in a hallway, strapped to a stretcher, unable to move for hours. 

Gloria described the experience as harrowing, stating, “I was velcroed to a stretcher. I couldn’t move. I could hardly move my feet, let alone my body, for hours. And I kept thinking, ‘This can’t be legal,’” she said.  

Gloria finally arrived at UPMC Mercy around 11 p.m., where she was reunited with her daughter. The emotional toll of the ordeal was evident.

Hospital response and Ongoing Investigation

UPMC has acknowledged the incident and stated that an investigation is underway to determine how it occurred. A representative mentioned that a new nurse was involved, suggesting that inexperience may have played a role. 

Rae has expressed her dissatisfaction with the hospital’s response and is considering legal action. She emphasized the need for accountability, not only for her mother’s ordeal but also for the unidentified woman who was mistakenly placed in Gloria’s bed.

This incident highlights the potential dangers of hospital patient mix-ups, especially involving elderly patients who may be vulnerable due to conditions like dementia. Proper patient identification is crucial to ensure safety and trust in healthcare settings.

Medical experts note that while such errors are rare, they can have serious consequences. Hospitals are urged to review and reinforce their patient identification protocols to prevent similar incidents.