An analysis of cases referred to Polish prosecutor's offices involving suspected medical errors directly and indirectly connected with the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION

The healthcare system is one of the areas most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. This resulted in a higher occurrence of medical errors at diffe-rent stages of diagnosis and patient treatment. This study aimed to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the number and type of medical errors in Poland and the type of medical facility where the irregularity occurred.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We reviewed inquiries into the correctness of medical proceedings related to COVID-19; these were received by our department from prosecutor's offices throughout Poland during the pandemic and after its end: from the beginning of January 2020 to the end of December 2023. During the examined period (48 months), the department received a total of 4,483 inquiries, i.e. approximately 4.5 per day (approximately 1,000 working days). Of these, 293 were related to the COVID-19 pandemic (6.54%) and were further analyzed according to the selected criteria. Inquiries regarding "COVID" cases concerned all aspects of medical procedures, all medical professions, and all healthcare entities.

RESULTS

A clear correlation was found: most inquiries raising doubts about the correctness of medical procedures were received during the peaks (waves) of the pandemic: autumn 2020, spring 2021, late autumn 2021, and winter 2021/2022.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the introduction of legal regulations intended to decriminalize consequences of medical errors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such cases were still submitted to prosecutors' offices; prosecutors initiated proceedings and then commissioned expert opinions on the correctness of the medical procedure.