PORTLAND, Maine — MaineHealth says a computer system error caused more than 500 living patients to receive letters indicating they were deceased and providing instructions to their next of kin.

The health care system said the issue occurred on Oct. 20 when its software for generating estate vendor letters malfunctioned, sending the notices to 531 patients. The letters were intended only for use in cases where a patient has died.

MaineHealth said the patients affected were not listed as deceased 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 problem and sent apology letters to all affected patients.

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

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