Unfortunately, thousands of patients die each year because of improper hospital care in this country. Poor hospital care can happen for a number of reasons here in Houston, including a doctor’s error in diagnosis, or a doctor or nurse’s treatment mistake or surgical errors.
Consumer Reports recently investigated hospitals throughout the U.S., and found that medical mistakes happen at even the best hospitals, but they do happen more frequently in certain hospitals. Six hospitals in Houston were investigated, as the others would not provide their private data to the researchers.
Researchers ranked the hospitals in a variety of categories, including avoiding infections, overuse of CAT scans, readmissions after discharge and clear communication about medications and discharge, and gave each facility an overall score.
On a scale of 1 to 100, the best safety ranking in Houston went to Clear Lake Regional with 61. The highest score in the country went to a Montana hospital with 72.
Cypress-Fairbanks, Park Plaza, Methodist Hospital and Houston Northwest Medical Center all fell between 46 and 51. Kingwood Medical Center was given a 36.
Researchers found that one major area where many hospitals struggle is preventing hospital infections. Some hospitals with better scores, however, have figured out how to prevent these. Unfortunately, not one hospital received a top score for preventing patients from being readmitted after discharge or for communicating clear discharge and medication instructions.
When these types of negligent acts result in an injury, or even death, the doctors or hospitals can be held accountable under a medical malpractice claim if the party was not following generally accepted standards of practice. Medical malpractice law in Texas is very complicated, and it is important for victims or their loved ones to discuss their case with an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
Source: ABC 13, “Consumer Reports rates hospitals safety,” Christi Myers, July 6, 2012
EXPERTLY REVIEWED BY
John A. Davis, Jr. and Steven R. Davis
July 20 2012
Steven R. Davis and John A. Davis, Jr. are experienced attorneys at Davis & Davis, a law firm that specializes in medical malpractice cases in Texas. With a deep commitment to justice that guides their ethical approach, Davis and Davis have dedicated their careers to helping victims of medical negligence. They and their team continue to advocate for clients, despite the challenges posed by Texas's cap on recoverable damages in malpractice lawsuits. Davis & Davis pride themselves on their extensive experience in the field and their readiness to meet clients across the United States.
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