A substantial number of negligence claims against hospitals have had to be paid because medical records had been mislaid, according to St Paul Ireland Insurance. St Paul provides medical indemnity for doctors.
It accuses hospitals generally of "appalling standards" in record- keeping over the past 30 years.
It goes on to complain that poor standards in record-keeping "have forced the settlement of a substantial number of claims which were otherwise potentially defendable."
Some hospitals hope the introduction of records kept on computer will solve the problems of missing patient files but "the health sector is deluding itself into thinking that it is ready for the transition to electronic patient records", it says.
Electronic patient record-keeping is being introduced without the necessary training, consultation or debate on legal or ethical issues "which ought as a matter of prudence and common sense to precede such an important development".
These comments will come as no surprise to patients kept waiting or turned away from clinics because their files cannot be found, nor will it surprise hospital staff for whom the search for missing files is a daily frustration.
Indeed, the Ombudsman, Mr Kevin Murphy, has complained about the frequency with which files go missing.
A free prostate cancer-screening service is being offered to men aged 40 to 70 at Tallaght Hospital starting this week. It involves a physical examination of the prostate gland and a blood test. The service is provided by appointment only; anybody interested can ring 01-414 2439 or write to the Prostate Cancer Screening Programme, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24.
hospitalwatch@irish-times.ie Hospital Watch and Checkup on the Web: www.ireland.com/special/hospital