Fatal Medication Errors Affect Elderly Patients Most
Our elderly loved ones, who are members of one of the most vulnerable populations in the nation, need to be treated with a high level…
Medical Malpractice
Washington D.C. Hospitals among Worst in US for Patient and Maternal Safety
Leapfrog Group has recently released its semiannual Hospital Safety Grades, ranking care facilities nationwide on a myriad of metrics. While the nonprofit organization is devoted…
Saving Time, Saving Lives: Why Hospitals Should Always Use Metric
Errors made by hospital staff in dispensing medication can be dangerous if not lethal to patients—worse, dosing for children or infants poses an even bigger…
Proposal to Change What Hospitals Report Could Put Patients at Risk
Upcoming changes to federal reporting on hospital infection rates could keep patients uninformed about the safety of their healthcare facility. Dangerous infections such as MRSA…
Private Surgery Centers: What You Don’t Know, Could Hurt You
Maybe you have seen the recent news stories or personally viewed the YouTube videos posted by the now suspended dermatologist, Dr. Windell Boutte. Atlanta’s notorious…
Could a New Phone App Help to Reduce Medical Errors?
Each year, an estimated 250,000 Americans die as a result of medical errors—the term given to any effort by healthcare professionals that had a preventable…
Will a Hospital in the Nation’s Capital Ever Overcome Ongoing Safety Issues?
Almost six months ago, I first touched on the problems of a Washington D.C. area hospital that is desperately needed to serve an otherwise isolated…
Hospitals with Too Many Safety Issues Punished by Medicare
Hospitals across the country must operate in accordance with safety standards set by the federal government or else face being penalized by the Medicare payment…
Why Medical Malpractice Suits Don’t Always Lead to Doctor Discipline
While it might come as a surprise to many, doctors who face medical malpractice lawsuits—and even those who are found negligent—don’t always receive disciplinary action…
Increasing Patient Safety with Biometric Identification
Patients deal with a host of risks whenever they enter a hospital for treatment. Hospitals have a duty by law to ensure that their facilities…