Hospital Errors and Infections are a Leading Cause of Death

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and CNN medical correspondent, wrote in The New York Times last year that the current numbers are likely double the 100,000 figure reported by the Institute of Medicine in 1999. It is very difficult to get accurate data, however, because states have varying reporting guidelines and much of the malpractice in medicine is cloaked within the secrecy of "peer review." Whatever the exact number, it is not subject to serious dispute that hospital negligence is a leading cause of death in the U.S.

Infections are a leading cause of hospital-related illnesses and deaths. The most common are bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and surgical site infections.

Medical malpractice results from a number of causes, including unreliable equipment and information technology, inadequate communication between doctors and nurses, sloppiness, failure to follow hospital policies and other practices that establish the applicable "standard of care." Of course, depending on the patient's situation, all of these provider lapses can lead to serious and even fatal outcomes.

Comparing Hospitals

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offers a "Hospital Compare" page on their site to help people compare hospitals in their area on things like readmission, complications, patient surveys and medical imaging. For example, 20 states do not require hospitals to report infection rates, this includes any medical malpractice in Atlanta, Ga. However, for people who are able to choose their hospital, the Medicare.gov site is still a good resource.

According to Greg Feagle, a partner at Ballard & Feagle in Atlanta, "Medical malpractice lawyers see cases of preventable mistakes and infections all the time. We recommend that people do some research on the hospitals in their area before the need to go to a hospital arises. That way, when the time comes that you or a loved one must receive urgent treatment at a hospital, you can make an informed decision about which hospital you want to use."

About Ballard & Feagle, LLP:

Ballard & Feagle, LLP is a unique law firm in that they are one of the few in the country that offers the resources, experience and trial skills needed to handle intricate and expensive local and national cases. This nationally renowned firm deals with a wide range of cases, such as those involving medical malpractice, commercial vehicle accidents, and product liability.

To learn more, visit http://www.ballardandfeagle.com.

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