Hospitals are still the heart of the healthcare industry, consuming a third of the $2 trillion U.S. health care bill. Some are very good. But many are not, brimming with infectious bugs, systemic error and negative hospitality. And because the hospital industry does all it can to thwart competition, many communities are stuck with the hospitals they have. One in 200 patients who spends a night or more in a hospital will die from medical error. One in 16 will pick up an infection. Deaths from preventable hospital infections each year exceed 100,000, more than those from AIDS, breast cancer and auto accidents combined.
HealthGrades has released its annual report of America's 50 Best Hospitals. The ratings agency says these 50 hospitals have demonstrated superior clinical quality for the most consecutive years. Is your hospital on this list?
Ireland's Health Service Executive is being criticized for an advertising campaign it launched recently, which encourages patients to ask their caregivers if they have washed their hands. The HSE acknowledges that it may be difficult for patients to question caregivers, but says hand-washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections.
When you're preparing for a hospital stay, don't forget to pack your favorite items from home. This includes a friend or family member to serve as your patient advocate--someone who can help you make medical decisions and watch out for potential errors in your care. The article also suggests patients bring with them a bottle of hand sanitizer gel, with a note that says, "Protect me from germs.clean your hands!"
Live surgery broadcasts have been used as a teaching tool for more than 20 years, but some hospitals are no longer using them, citing concerns for patient safety if a surgeon is distracted by cameras and a live audience.
Some hospitals report lower infection rates and higher incidents of life-saving procedures for heart attack victims, but a new report from PriceWaterhouseCoopers shows that care evaluations and bonus payments varied greatly, meaning that for some hospitals, the cost of participating in pay-for-performance programs is more than the actual payments it receives from the government.