Patient Safety Grades in California Hospitals
Thirty-Seven Percent of California Hospitals Receive “C” Grade or Lower for Patient Safety
According to a new Hospital Safety Score report card reported in the Los Angeles Times on April 29, 2015, 37 percent of California’s hospitals received the grades of C, D, and F for issues pertaining to patient safety. The scores were compiled by The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit reporting organization devoted to hospital safety and patient well-being. The report graded 248 hospitals in California and 2,523 hospitals in the United States. The group's ultimate goal is to eliminate avoidable hospital death and injury.
According to information in the Los Angeles Times, California hospitals received the following grades:
- 106 received an A
- 51 received a B
- 70 received a C
- 17 received a D
- 4 received an F
California trailed behind Maine, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, New Jersey and Illinois in the “Percent of 'A' Hospitals” category. Of California’s 248 hospitals, 42.7 percent received an A rating; however, despite California’s relatively high ranking—seventh out of 48 rated states—every year there are thousands of preventable in-hospital deaths and injuries. Injured hospital victims and the families of deceased victims may be entitled to compensation.
Preventable Hospital Error Accounts for an Estimated 440,000 Yearly Deaths
Hospital errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, behind cancer and heart disease. According to a report from the Journal of Patient Safety, up to 440,000 preventable deaths occur yearly to patients in American hospitals—that is up to four times higher than previous estimates. Preventable hospital deaths are caused by injuries, accidents, infections, and human and technical error. They occur in virtually every hospital area and department.
- More than one out of every 25 hospital patients develop a completely avoidable infection.
- More than 1,000 avoidable hospital deaths occur on a daily basis in the United States.
- Medicare patients are at particular risk and have a one in four chance of death, injury or harm.
- Four California Hospitals Receive a Failing Grade
Four California hospitals received an F for patient safety:
- Antelope Valley Hospital
- Madera Community Hospital
- Oroville Hospital
- Western Medical Center of Santa Ana
- The low grade of F is an indication of substandard treatment and care, according to the Hospital Safety Score Report; however, injury and death can, and does occur in highly rated hospitals as well.
Law Offices of Michels & Lew, California Medical Malpractice Attorneys
When a healthcare professional or hospital fails to provide treatment in accordance with established protocols, resulting in injury, illness, harm or death, negligence or medical malpractice may have occurred. Injured parties and the families of deceased victims may be entitled to compensation. This may include pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages and more. In instances where reckless or especially egregious conduct was involved, punitive damages may be pursued.
Michels & Lew provides experienced and aggressive legal representation to clients who were harmed or injured in hospitals and to the families of deceased victims. There are no legal fees unless your case is favorably resolved. To schedule a complimentary, no-obligation case review, contact Michels & Lew at 800-639-1400.
Sources:
Los Angeles Times - "Almost 40% of California hospitals graded C or lower for patient safety" 4/29/2015 http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hospital-scores-20150429-story.html
Los Angeles Times - "California Hospital Safety Scores" graphics.latimes.com/california-hospital-scores/ Journal of Patient Safety, "A New Evidence-based Estimate of Patient Harms Associated with Hospital Care," James, John T. Ph.D., Sept. 2013 - Volume 9 - Issue 3 - p. 122 - 128
Hospital Safety Score - http://www.hospitalsafetyscore.org