Superbug Infects Patients At Two Los Angeles Hospitals
On March 4, a second Los Angeles hospital reported that patients had been infected with the superbug CRE. Four patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have been stricken with the antibiotic-resistant virus.
A similar outbreak was reported at Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center in April. Seven patients succumbed to the superbug after undergoing endoscopic procedures, ultimately resulting in the death of two of the patients.
Cedars-Sinai issued a statement noting it had put a stop to such procedures after the UCLA outbreak and had started an investigation of its own. The hospital said the superbug germs may have been transmitted through an Olympus Corp. duodenoscope, during procedures completed between August 2014 and January 2015.
One of the four Cedars-Sinai patients died, but the hospital claims the cause was not related to the superbug infection.
Cedars-Sinai says there is no evidence that the hospital’s other patients are at risk for contracting the virus. However, staff is sending home test kits to 67 patients who underwent procedures to diagnose pancreatic and bile-duct issues.
17 NYC hospitals fined by Medicare
A total of 17 NYC hospitals will be fined millions of dollars by Medicare, after failing to prevent patient infections and other avoidable incidents.
Many of the city’s leading teaching hospitals, including Lenox Hill, NYU Langone and Montefiore will be hit with the ObamaCare-imposed fines. The hospitals are set to lose 1 percent of their Medical reimbursements for the current fiscal year.
Each of the hospitals were scored on a number of easily preventable complications, such as infections among patients with catheters and those with central lines — tubes inserted into veins to deliver essential nutrients and medicine. The medical facilities were also evaluated on other complications, including bedsores and hip fractures.
Brooklyn’s Kings County Hospital and Brookdale Hospital Center both received among the city’s worst scores, earning almost 10 out of 10 points. Hospitals receiving at least seven points will be penalized.
“Hospital infection is one of the largest killers in the United States and they’re almost all preventable through proper hygiene and rigorous adherence to procedures, so of course hospitals should be penalized when their infection rates are high,” said patient advocate Betsy McCaughey, chairwoman of the New York-based Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths.
She added that large teaching hospitals often treat sicker patients, requiring more tubes to be running in and out of their bodies and attention from a greater number of medical professionals.
“The more caregivers (who) walk in and out of your room, the higher your risk of infection,” McCaughey said.
NYC hospital infection risks
When you’re admitted into a hospital, you expect the healthcare team to provide you with the highest standard of care. However, all patients are not fortunate enough to be treated in this manner. If you or a loved one developed a hospital infection in NYC during a recent stay at a healthcare facility, you need to stand up for your rights. There’s a very strong chance you’re entitled to compensation for your additional medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
You can trust an experienced attorney from The Sanders Firm to defend your rights in cases arising from medical negligence . Our team will work hard to determine the cause of your infection and ensure the right people are held accountable. We’ve been standing up for patients in Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Long Island and other parts of New York for more than 45 years. Call us today at 1.800.FAIR. PLAY to schedule a complimentary legal consultation. Resources
- NY Daily News, ‘Superbug’ Outbreak Reported at Second Los Angeles Hospital http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/superbug-infections-hit-los-angeles-hospital-article-1.2138329
- NY Post, 17 NYC Hospitals to be Fined for Infections, Other Complications http://nypost.com/2014/12/28/17-nyc-hospitals-to-be-fined-for-infections-other-complications/
