Local hospitals are slamming a national report that they've been penalized for a lack of patient safety. According to the report, Medicare reimbursements at more than 700 hospitals across the country will be reduced by one percent during the fiscal year that began in October of 2014. Eleven Kansas hospitals are on the list. Of the ones that spoke with KAKEnews Thursday, they say this is the first time they've heard about the report. Staff at South Central Kansas Medical Center in Arkansas City spent the afternoon fielding calls from community leaders who were inquiring about the news story that Medicare is punishing them for their high rate of hospital-acquired infections and injuries.
