MaineHealth mistakenly sends death letters to 500+ living patients

MaineHealth -- the state’s largest healthcare provider -- said more than 500 living patients received letters indicating that they were dead and providing instructions to their next of kin as a result of a computer system error

MaineHealth -- the state’s largest healthcare provider -- said more than 500 living patients received letters indicating that they were dead and providing instructions to their next of kin as a result of a computer system error.

The healthcare system told News Center Maine that the issue occurred on Oct. 20 due to a software malfunction.

The death notices, typically intended only for use in cases where patients have died, were sent out to 521 living patients.

“MaineHealth sincerely regrets this error,” the company said in a statement.

MaineHealth said the patients affected were not listed as dead in their medical records, and the error did not affect their care or status in the system. The organization said it has since resolved the issue and sent apology letters to all affected patients.