Many Doctors As Well As Lawyers Will Tell You That Hospitals Just May Not Be the Safest Place to Be
As an experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyer since 1979 who has witnessed almost everything that can go wrong in a hospital environment, I concur with many doctor and nurse friends of mine who simply state that hospitals are not the safest environments to be in. In fact, being hospitalized may actually contribute to a more serious ailment or death.
Recently a study published by the New York Times on November 24, 2010 found no real progress in hospital safety. The study concluded that efforts to make hospitals safer for patients are falling short. The study was conducted over a time period of 2000 to 2007 among 10 hospitals and found that harm to patients is common and that the number of incidents did not decrease over time. The most common problems noted were complications from procedures and drugs as well as hospital acquired infections. A landmark study in 1999 found that almost a 100,000 people die from medical mistakes in hospitals and more than 1 million sustain injuries while hospitalized in the United States. In a recent government study, 134,000 Medicare beneficiaries experienced “adverse events" during hospital stays. Recent statistics indicate that over 25% of people who enter a hospital will suffer an injury due to faulty medical care or mistakes. Although many of the problems may not be serious and are temporary and treatable, over 43% of them required extra time in the hospital for treatment or additional medical concern.
Recently I met with a woman whose young and perfectly healthy husband entered the hospital for a routine medical procedure and died a week later due to a botched simple procedure resulting in infection and equipment failure.
As a Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney, I do believe that those who commit malpractice or commit medical errors that were easily preventable should be held accountable for their actions and there should be consequences. Although we have heard much about tort reform, medical malpractice lawyers are the unsung heroes of society in that they police the system with full attention to the wrongdoers. With enough attention, sanctions can be imposed to ultimately lead to more stringent and careful medical care.
If you or a loved one has sustained catastrophic injury or wrongful death as a result of medical or hospital malpractice, please contact one of our experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation. As always, if we decide to take your case you do not have to pay us a fee unless we win. Contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595.
