Hospital Gives Wrong Baby to New Mother

Alan Reed
Managing Editor

Williston Herald
Last Modified on Thursday, September 10, 2009 10:38 AM CDT

Officials at Williston’s Mercy Medical Center are investigating how the wrong baby was given to a mother who was discharged this past Saturday.

The incident happened around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, said Mercy Chief Financial Officer Kerry Monson, who was the administrator on call this past weekend. Monson said the mistake was discovered by staff and “as soon they recognized it, it was addressed.”

Monson would not release details about how the incident occurred and what families were involved. When asked about printed information outlining the procedures that were to have been followed in the discharge process, Monson said there are numerous policies and procedures involved, while adding she can’t give information about protocol.

Monson read a prepared statement that said, “We are certainly disheartened by this current event and our hearts go out to the families involved. Mercy Medical Center is committed to its core values of reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence in serving its patients and the Williston community.”

Monson continued with the statement that read, “We want to assure the community that within approximately one hour of our discovery, baby and mother were reunited.” The statement added Mercy officials are thoroughly investigating the facts associated with the incident “and are reviewing our obstetric unit’s polices and procedures to ensure that we are able to maintain patient security and confidence.”

The statement concluded with, “As quickly as we can conclude our investigation, you can be assured the appropriate action will be taken.”

Mercy’s Web page lists three babies were born on Thursday, six babies were born on Wednesday and two babies were born on Tuesday that week.

Parents must give permission for the Web posting of the newborn that is made upon discharge, so the listing may not include all births at the hospital.