AUDIT RAPS UMASS MEMORIAL

Failure to report drug-exposed babies on time

UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester failed to follow proper protocol for nearly one-fifth of its babies born drug-exposed, which hospitals are required to report to the state immediately after birth, according to an audit released yesterday.

“These newborns are among the most vulnerable residents in our state. Their long-term health and safety is dependent on making sure the Department of Children and Families is aware of the circumstances so that the agency can work with the hospital and the family to develop appropriate short- and long-term plans for the baby’s wellbeing,” Auditor Suzanne M. Bump said in a statement.

“It is critical that UMass Memorial Medical Center improve its processes to ensure that all substance-exposed newborns are reported to the state,” Bump added.

Hospitals must report each drug-exposed newborn to DCF immediately after each birth, and are required to submit a written report within 48 hours of that.

The audit found 80 of the 456 drug-exposed births at UMass Memorial were not reported within the required time frame, and that one of those cases was never reported.

Babies who are born dependent on addictive drugs are the youngest victims of the opioid crisis that continues to rise in Massachusetts and nationwide. Hospitals have been pushed to their limits caring for these high-need newborns.

The Health Policy Commission reported that the number of these births increased by 27 percent from 2011 to 2015.

About 16 out of every 1,000 newborns in Massachusetts are born drug-exposed, which exceeds the national average by three times.

The hospital did not provide an explanation for how these oversights occurred, but has pledged to improve reporting efforts.

“We understand the importance of the state’s reporting system and have agreed to enhance controls to ensure that all mandated reporters at our medical center file the proper reports within the required 48 hours of making an oral report to the Department of Children and Families of suspected abuse, neglect, or physical dependence upon an addictive drug by a child or newborn,” the hospital said in a statement.

The hospital will also “consider the best practice recommendations related to retaining these reports, receipts, and evidence of timely filing.”