A jury awarded $2.58 million to an Arnold, MO, couple in a medical malpractice case where a retiree got a staph infection and lost his right leg, part of his left foot, a kidney, and some hearing. The jury found Michael Shapiro, MD, and Metro Heart Group of St. Louis to be 67% responsible and St. Anthony's Medical Center to be 33% responsible. Defense attorneys denied any liability by either the hospital or Shapiro, saying the patient could have gotten the infection anywhere.
Novant Health, North Carolina's second-largest hospital chain, is trying to shake up the competitive landscape in one of North Carolina's most attractive healthcare markets. Novant has announced plans to build a $110 million, 46-bed hospital in Holly Springs, a community in fast-growing western Wake County. Novant executives say they have eyes only for Holly Springs, and the nonprofit health-services chain will face several obstacles as it tries to win state regulators' approval. But the market's established medical providers—including UNC Health Care, Duke University Health System, and WakeMed—have reason to be nervous about a potential Novant foray into the area, experts say.
More than 800,000 patients became infected with MRSA last year while in the hospital, according to a study by the Association of Professionals in Infection Control. Tired of such statistics, grieving families across the country held a vigil in memory last week for those who have died as a result of hospital-acquired infections.
Hospitals already employ a number of infection control practices, with additional measures being implemented regularly. According to a recent online survey conducted by Perception Solutions, Inc., hand hygiene and the use of gloves that feature effective barrier protection rank highest on the list of preventative measures.
Kansas hospitals will no longer be paid for claims involving avoidable medical errors, as several of the state's largest insurers - including Preferred Health Systems and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas - join Medicare in adopting new "never event" rules that go into effect October 1.
The Joint Commission has issued a warning that patient safety can be compromised by hostile behavior among medical staff. Starting next year, hospitals will be required to implement a code of conduct that defines such behavior, and also includes procedures for managing it.