Safe Patient Project: Washington

Consumers Union Urges Congress to Strengthen Medical Device Oversight

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:10:30 -0600

Consumers Union: Public Should Have Full Access to Doctor Database, Including Names of Problem Physicians

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:45:59 -0600

CU urges HHS to restore online doctor database

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:55:08 -0600

HHS decision to remove online access runs counter to Administration pledge to promote transparency

Consumer voices to be heard at national hospital infection meeting

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:25:41 -0600

Meet the eleven consumer advocates who will be attending a U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)hospital infection meeting this week.

Just 1 in 5 medical malpractice cases end in settlements or judgments for patients, study says

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:55:46 -0600

Only 1 in 5 malpractice claims against doctors leads to a settlement or other payout, according to a new study published in the New England Journal Medicine. Most patients who are harmed are not able to pursue a lawsuit.

Medicare rule would decrease payments to hospitals with high re-admission rates

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:44:13 -0600

In an effort to save money and improve care, Medicare, the federal program for the elderly and disabled, is about to release a final rule aimed at getting hospitals to pay more attention to patients after discharge. This includes cutting back payments to hospitals where high numbers of patients are re-admitted [often due to infections or medical harm].

Consumers Union Statement on IOM Medical Device Study

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:52:21 -0600

Study of Medical Device Rules Is Attacked, Unseen

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:02:57 -0600

The medical device industry is crawling over Washington in an attempt to discredit an upcoming Institute of Medicine report that could propose a tougher approval process for a wide range of devices like hip implants, hospital pumps and external heart defibrillators.

Consumers Union: IOM Report Urges More Consumer Protection for Medical Devices

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:13:00 -0600

Health News: Medical devices debated in Congress; controversies surface; Oregon connection

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:09:38 -0600

A sampler of articles on the issue of fees for medical device manufacturers, a debate heating up in Washington DC.

Many hospitals overuse double CT scans, data show

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:07:44 -0600

Hundreds of hospitals are routinely performing a type of chest scan that experts say should be used rarely, subjecting patients to double doses of radiation and driving up health-care costs.

Flacking for Big Pharma

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:50:54 -0600

Harriet Washington: "Drugmakers don’t just compromise doctors; they also undermine top medical journals and skew medical research."

Pa. moves to revoke license of facility where hidden camera captured alleged abuse of patient

Mon, 02 May 2011 12:07:55 -0600

A suburban Philadelphia elder-care facility where a hidden camera allegedly captured aides assaulting and mocking a half-naked dementia patient may be forced to shut down after state regulators said Friday that their investigation uncovered violations that demonstrate gross incompetence, negligence and misconduct.

New law requires transparency from boards that discipline doctors

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:28:18 -0600

A new law gives new rights to Washington patients and families who file complaints about alleged medical errors with state disciplinary boards.

Governor Gregoire Signs Bill To Create More Transparency When Patients File Complaints Against Health Care Workers

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:54:38 -0600