ConnecticutThe Connecticut Department of Public Health has released a report on central line-associated bloodstream infections acquired in Connecticut acute-care hospitals.
“I guess America’s present “Wild West” health care system does allow lots of folks to make a handsome profit. But the rest of us are suffering from high health insurance premiums and unacceptably high fatality rates caused by medical errors.”
“This report, that came out in December, substantiates not only that those numbers were valid, but that the scope of the problem is far greater than anyone ever thought.” Jean Rexford; CT Center for Patient Safety.
Editorial: Preventable deaths They will continue until there is a national strategy to stop them
A C-HIT review found that Connecticut often takes no action against doctors who are disciplined in nearby Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York, in contrast to medical boards in those other states, which are quick to impose their own reciprocal sanctions after Connecticut takes disciplinary action.
Editorial: “Connecticut too often overlooks disciplinary incidents that occur elsewhere or applies restrictions that aren’t tough enough.”
Interviews with Jean Rexford (CT Center for Patient Safety); Tracy Webber (Propublica); Lisa Chedekel (C-HIT) discuss learning about a doctor’s professional history. A report by the Connecticut Health Investigative Team (C-HIT) shows that many out of state doctors with a history of disciplinary actions are slipping through the cracks of Connecticut’s public health department.
This Community Catalyst blog discusses the Physician Payments Sunshine Act passed in the health care reform legislation. It creates a national public website where drug and device companies will report payments and gifts to doctors. Consumers will be able to search the site.
“Since 2004, 116 people in Connecticut have died as a result of medical errors in hospitals — most of which were kept secret because of a “gaping legal loophole,” according to the Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.
Legislation in CT this year would require limits on drug company compensation to doctors instead of an outright gift ban. A 2009 gift ban bill was strongly opposed and failed to pass.
Back on July 8th, 2004, my father went into the hospital for what his surgeon said would be an easy valve replacement with the expectation he would be out of the hospital within 7-10 days. My father was 79 and in relatively good shape and a well built man.
The Safe Patient Project is a Consumers Union campaign focused on eliminating medical harm, improving FDA oversight of prescription drugs and promoting disclosure laws that give information to consumers about health care safety and quality.