17 NYC Hospitals Fined For Failing To Prevent Patient Infections
Hospital acquired infections (HAI) are largely preventable with proper hygiene and adherence to rigorous medical protocols. Yet every year, thousands of hospital patients suffer life-threatening complications when health care professionals in hospitals are medically negligent in following routine procedures that would ensure patient health and safety comes first. New York City has some of the country’s largest and busiest teaching hospitals, including Montefiore and Lenox Hill –two prominent facilities that have been hit with Medicare sanctions for failing to avert hospital infections and other potentially avoidable complications.
The New York Post reports that 17 Manhattan area hospitals will lose an estimated one percent of their Medicare reimbursements this fiscal year, thanks to fines imposed by ObamaCare. Local patient advocates label the penalties a “no brainer” considering that HAIs claim thousands of innocent lives and rank among the biggest killers in U.S. hospitals.
Vigilant hygiene can help avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful pathogens, which are rampant in NYC hospitals that see millions of patients every year. Large teaching hospitals habitually treat sicker patients, who are seen by numerous doctors and nurses on any given day. “The more caregivers [who] walk in and out of your room, the higher your risk of infection,” explained Betsy McCaughey, chairwoman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Death, based in New York.
17 New York City hospitals fined
Hospitals were rated across the board on a number of complications that are deemed preventable, such as infections after insertion of catheters and central lines. Other criteria analyzed included adverse events like hip fractures and bedsores. Brooklyn’s Brookdale Hospital Center and Kings County Hospital received the lowest scores of all New York City hospitals, netting 10 points. Facilities that racked up seven points or more will be penalized by Medicare.
Not all hospitals agree with the government’s safety assessment. Spokesperson for the Greater New York Hospital Association, Brian Conway, claims the program “is based on only three measures, it doesn’t fully reflect New York City hospitals’ widespread and successful efforts to improve patient outcomes across the board.”
Hospital acquired infections can be contracted from time spent in acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, surgical centers and long-term nursing home facilities. Bacteria, viruses and fungi are just some of the pathogens that can cause surgical site infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), infections in the bloodstream and pneumonia – all of which are tied to catastrophic medical and financial consequences for the patient, especially those who are elderly or have a suppressed immune system.
At The Sanders Firm, our seasoned legal team has devoted nearly five decades to victims of medical malpractice in New York, whether it occurred in one of our city’s teaching hospitals, nursing homes or at an outpatient center. When medical professionals fail to in their duty to offer a certain standard of care and you suffer harm, legal recourse is available.
NYC hospital malpractice lawyers explain your legal rights
Taking a complex case to court involving negligent medical care requires the expertise of NYC hospital malpractice lawyers who have the financial resources and support staff to establish liability and take your claim before a jury if needed.
Representing residents in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Long Island for more than 46 years, The Sanders Firm is uniquely qualified to help you obtain the monetary damages you deserve in the aftermath of a preventable injury or death. To arrange a complimentary, no-obligation review of your case, please call 1-800-FAIR-PLAY. Resources
- NY Post, 17 NYC hospitals to be fined for infections, other complications https://nypost.com/2014/12/28/17-nyc-hospitals-to-be-fined-for-infections-other-complications/
- Health.gov, Health Care-Associated Infections (HAIs) https://www.health.gov/hai/prevent_hai.asp
