Legal news for New York personal injury attorneys – Hospital-acquired infections killed a reported 48,000 patients annually across the nation.
New York, NY (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) – Most people go to the hospital to heal and regain wellness, however, studies reveal that a hospital stay could be hazardous to your health—and potentially fatal. A study reported by Reuters revealed that 48,000 patients die a year from illnesses such as pneumonia or blood poisoning, which they acquired from their stay at a hospital, announced the New York Daily News, February 23, 2010.
The Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy at Resources for the Future performed a study in 2006 that showed 2.3 million patients require more treatment after developing a hospital-acquired illness, which is equivalent to $8.1 billion to compensate for the extended stay. These hospital-acquired infections are increasing the bill for the escalating cost of healthcare in the United States.
Patients who contracted pneumonia, while at the hospital for another illness or reason, had to stay an additional 14 days at the rate of $46,400 per patient, with 11% of patients dying from the unexpected illness. One-fifth of patients died after undergoing surgery in hospitals from contracting septis, a serious blood infection, according to the research written in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The study was conducted with the discharge records of 69 million patients, who had been treated and stayed at hospitals across the nation between 1998 and 2006. Research also revealed that the patients who contracted sepsis after surgery had to stay for treatment an extra 11 days, which amounts to 32,900 per patients.
Researchers suggest that the hospitals could potentially avoid these additional costs if they tighten up their infection control by enforcing hand-washing habits and screening patients when they first step foot into the hospital. These prove effective ways to prevent infection and help hospitals ultimately cut costs.
Bridget Hom
www.NewYorkInjuryNews.com