More than one in six U.S. hospitals currently have trouble stamping out infections that could become deadly, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis.
About one in every 25 hospitalized patients gets an infection nationwide, leading to 75,000 deaths each year - more deaths that from car crashes and gun shots combined.
In Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, a fifth of hospitals had worse than average ratings for at least one category of infection, according to the study.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports six categories of infections: those from flexible tubes inserted into veins to deliver medicines or nutrients; infections from catheters that drain bladders; those from antibiotic-resistant germs Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aeureus (MRSA); and two surgical site infections after hysterectomies and colon operations.
C. diff infections, which require hospitals to be careful in using the antibiotics necessary to combat the infections, were the most common problem at Cincinnati-area hospitals, including Jewish Hospital, Mercy Hospital Anderson, Mercy Hospital West and St. Elizabeth Hospital Fort Thomas.
Seven hospitals in the Cincinnati area have lower infection rates than expected nationally: Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, Bethesda North, Christ Hospital, Good Samaritan, Mercy Hospital Fairfield, St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lakeside Park and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Read the full details here:
Compare infection rates at local hospitals
Infections in hospitals continue to be a serious problem. Once a patient is well enough to go home, that is the safest place to recover.
If you or a family member believe you have a medical malpractice case, contact Crandall & Pera Law today for a free case evaluation. Crandall & Pera Law is available to help answer your questions and guide you in determining your next steps.