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Important News You Need to Know About Medical Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents and Serious Injuries in Virginia and Washington D.C.

How Safe is Your Baby in the Hospital?

Posted on Aug 04, 2010

Earlier this year, Suzanne and Reed Libby's infant son was discovered to be missing from the nursery at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington County. Their son was quickly found in the room of another new mother, but not before that woman had breastfed the child, believing him to be her own infant son. According to the Virginia Hospital Center, the woman tested negative for HIV and other potentially serious illnesses that can be spread through breast milk, and the child did not suffer any long-term harm. But the hospital has refused to provide documentation of the tests conducted and the results of those tests to the Libbys.

This instance was terrifying for the parents, and it was also indicative of a serious healthcare problem. The mix-up occurred because a hospital aide failed to match the ID bracelets on the infant and mother. Inaccurate patient identification is a significant cause of medical errors in the maternity ward and in other areas of the hospital.

Other hospitals in the Washington area will not reveal whether breastfeeding mix-ups have occurred at their facilities, and they are not required to report them unless harm is done to the child.