The Law Firm of Jonathan C. Reiter discusses the incidence of patient injury and death linked to medical malpractice in the U.S.

NEW YORK, NY, USA, February 5, 2014 /EINPresswire.com/ -- A report released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) presented information many would finding shocking when it comes to patient safety in hospitals throughout the U.S. As noted in the report, among the leading causes of death in the country are preventable hospital errors. In fact, preventable hospital errors were ranked sixth on the list, with an estimated 98,000 people dying each year as a result of these kinds of medical mistakes.

Despite the alarming statistics, the progress made by hospitals in reducing the number of patients who acquire an infection, injury, or other serious medical issue during their hospital stay is stated to have been relatively slow.

HealthGrades Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study
“While hospitals have made progress, medical mistakes still occur at an alarming rate. The incidence rate of medical harm occurring is estimated to be over 40,000 per day according to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. [2] For example, The Joint Commission, a nonprofit agency that certifies health care organizations, reports that only 89% of the facilities surveyed in 2008 met the patient safety goal for following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hand hygiene guidelines for preventing the spread of infection. [3]”

For more information about the patient safety in American hospitals study, please visit https://www.cpmhealthgrades.com/CPM/assets/File/PatientSafetyInAmericanHospitalsStudy2010.pdf.

The federal government has enacted policies in response to the call for action to be taken regarding the staggering number of patients who are injured while in the care of a doctor or hospital. These include discontinuing Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for injuries, readmissions, or illnesses that are deemed to have been preventable.

Medicaid to Quit Paying for Preventable Events
“The Medicaid list of what is preventable mirrors the Medicare list, which includes transfusing the wrong blood type; falls that result in dislocation, fractures, or head injuries; burns and electric shocks; catheter-associated urinary tract infections; surgical site infections after bariatric surgery or coronary artery bypass; and manifestations of poor glycemic control.”

For more information about the Medicare and Medicaid lists of preventable events please visit http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/Medicaid/26808.

Medical malpractice attorneys also work to help reduce the rate of serious medical errors by seeking to hold medical professionals legally responsible for injuries caused to patients. The New York medical malpractice attorneys of The Law Firm of Jonathan C. Reiter are among those who tirelessly advocate for patients seeking just compensation for damages they incurred due to a medical mistake or malfeasance. Individuals who have been injured by a New York hospital or medical care provider can contact the law firm today for a free case review to receive help.

Jonathan C. Reiter
Law Firm of Jonathan C. Reiter
(212) 736-0979
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