Chapter $5$

EXERCISE $5\mathrm{.}5\mathrm{.}2$

NEWS STORY ANALYSIS

Read the story below and answer the questions at the end. Unless otherwise noted, ascume the story is current.

Computer glitches put patients at risk

Glendale Health System, Inc., which operates $25$ medical centers in $16$ states, including two in $($your state$),$ said Tuesday that a computer software glitch put the medical care of its patients at risk.

More than $300$ patients may have received incorrect drugs, had unnecessary treatments or been exposed to other medical errors because of a software glitch that mixed up patients' electronic health records, according to hospital documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

Patients were not informed of the glitch, which began in May and lasted for two months, even though they sometimes received prolonged infusions of drugs that can be life$-$threatening at extreme doses.

Glendale spokeswoman Larena Boggs said the Ralston Medical Center in $($your city$)$ was among the affected hospitals. One patient there was given heparin, a blood thinner, for $10$ hours longer than necessary as doctors worked to rule out a heart attack.

There is no evidence that any patients suffered long$-$term effects as a result of the glitch, said. Boggs, and Glendale is continuing to investigate the situation. The situation is particularly troublesome, however, as the federal government promotes the universal use of electronic medical records.