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Over 238,000 Preventable Hospital Deaths

A recent study has found that between 2004-2006 there were over 238,000 preventable hospital deaths in the United States.  Patient safety incidents cost the Medicare program over $8.8 billion!  Approximately 1,100,000 Medicare patients suffered a preventable injury or died of a preventable cause during their hospital admission. 

While hospitals argue that these injuries and deaths are not preventable, the study found huge differences in the rate of injuries and deaths between the lower tiered hospitals and hospitals recognized for excellence.   

Here is the irony in these statistics: Since Medicare is paying hospitals to treat preventable injuries, hospitals often profit from their mistakes! 

The following is a partial list of the type of preventable injuries and deaths:

• Pressure ulcers (also called bed sores or decubitus ulcers)
• Hip fractures
• Foreign body left in during surgical procedure
• Post-operative infections
• Complications of anesthesia

One way to stop hospitals from profiting from their errors is to file a medical malpractice action.  In a medical malpractice action, the hospital can be held accountable for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other harm it caused.  Equally important, you are giving the hospitals a financial incentive to improve care for future patients.

Regards,

Josh Silverman