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.