Hospital Infections Deadly Problem in US

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November 16th, 2006

"Deadly Problem in US from Hospital Infections"

A new report analyzing the rate of hospital-acquired infections shines a spotlight on one of the countries deadly and hidden problems.

This week, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council revealed the number of hospital infections and deaths that occurred in 2005 in 168 of the state''s hospitals.

This move marks the first time ever that state residents are able to find out the rate of infection at their local hospitals, leading to a national push to give patients the facts they need to compare healthcare services.

“We commend the [cost containment council] for shining a light on a problem that has lingered for far too long,” said Lisa McGiffert of the Consumer''s Union.

Report Findings

Last year, the state of Pennsylvania required all hospitals to report “hospital-acquired” infections and found an average of 12.2 infections for every 1,000 patients in 2005.

The report also revealed that those patients who developed an infection spent, on average, an additional three weeks in the hospital, racking up healthcare costs of $185,260.

Patients who never acquired an infection typically stayed in the hospital for only five days and were charged around $31,389. Furthermore, about 12 percent of patients who got infections in hospitals died compared to only 2.3 percent who weren''t infected.

According to the report, the rate of infection and death varied widely in Pennsylvania hospitals. The council urges patients to utilize the report to ask hospitals questions about their infection-related illness rates and control programs.

Medical experts believe that hospitals could take a number of steps to significantly reduce infections, including proper sterilization, hand washing, and other proper procedures.

The council hopes this report will improve infection-control efforts both in the state and nationwide.

Acquired a hospital infection? Please click here to learn more about your legal rights and options.