An estimated 80,000 people are infected each year in American hospitals with catheter-related bloodstream infections: 30,000 die from these infections. According to a recent survey of medical professionals, most of these infections are preventable. However,  infections continue to plague hospitals because hospital administrators do not understand the significance of the problem and have not committed adequate resources and attention to implement basic procedures to reduce the infection rate. Basic procedures include hand washing, cleaning a patient’s skin with an effective antiseptic, using sterile drapes, clothing, masks, gowns, gloves and dressings. (7/13) Washington Post

This week Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc. was ordered to pay more than $670 million in damages for violating the California health and safety code which requires nursing homes to provide at least 3.2 nursing hours per patient each day. Staff deficiencies put patients at risk because they do not receive proper and timely care, medication or hygiene. More money damages against Skilled Healthcare are possible as the jury will meet next week to determine if the company should pay punitive damages. Skilled Healthcare says it will appeal. (6/8) LA Times

Cases of whooping cough in children and adults are on the rise in the U.S. Whooping cough was widespread before vaccination efforts began in the 1940s. Until recently, reported cases of the infectious disease dramatically declined. Since 2004, whooping cough has become a serious health issue because it is easily misdiagnosed. Adults, who may not receive a correct diagnosis, put babies and young children at risk for contracting the disease.  Health departments are recommending that adults be immunized against whooping cough since immunity can fade after five years after inoculation.  (5/31) LA Times, LA Times

Two weeks after awarding $1 million in compensatory damages to the widow of a man who died from bedsores, a Philadelphia jury leveled  $5 million in punitive damages against the same nursing home and hospital because they failed to diagnose and properly treat a urinary tract infection, leaving the man vulnerable to developing bedsores. Workers at both the hospital and nursing home allowed the bedsores to fester and their patient to become malnourished. Two years later the man died from the bedsores. The case is unusual since it may be the first nursing home verdict that awarded punitive damages. In order for a jury to award such damages, the jurors must determine that a facility engaged in “outrageous and reckless conduct.” (3/18) Philadelphia Inquirer

Select Medical Corporation and other firms that operate long-term care hospitals are the subjects of lawsuits, and troubling state and federal inspection reports that reflect a sub-standard level of patient care at some of these facilities. Select runs 89 long-term care hospitals which have been cited four times more for serious Medicare violations than regular hospitals. Because of Medicare rules, there has been a rapid expansion of long-term care hospitals. However, Medicare does not scrutinize their care or penalize these facilities for violations as they do regular hospitals. Long-term care hospitals generally spend less on patient care and have higher profit margins than traditional hospitals. (2/9) NY Times

In a series of articles entitled “Dead By Mistake,” Hearst Newspapers reveals the results of its investigation into the causes and effects of medical errors throughout the U.S. The lead article reports that each year 98,000 people die from preventable medical errors and claims the number of deaths is on the rise as hospitals are slow to implement lifesaving practices. The number of preventable errors may be even greater than previously thought since reporting is sparse and secretive. Hearst (8/8)

In a op-ed column, professor Tom Baker examines the issues of  rising health care costs and medical liability. He cites a study that found most victims injured by medical errors do not bring legal claims, and the amount of money damages awarded to patients strongly relates to the merits of their claims. Bakers says that eliminating medical liability may save money for health care providers, but would cost society by removing incentives to keep patients safer. (7/12) NY Times

In an op-ed, Les Weisbrod, president of the American Association for Justice, writes that the Obama administration’s healthcare reform must not limit the legal rights of patients injured because of medical errors. Obama’s plan seeks to lower healthcare costs while improving the quality of care and providing coverage for the uninsured. According to Weisbrod, changing the legal system will not solve these issues, but make it more difficult for those injured by medical negligence to pursue legal recourse. Patient safety should take precedence over focusing on the legal system. Each year approximately 98,000 people die as a result of medical mistakes. (6/22) USA Today

Spas have moved beyond saunas and massages; some now offer medically-based services like Botox and dermal filler injections, as well as laser hair removal. A number of spas allow unqualified technicians—not doctors—to administer these treatments. Some procedures can produce results with serious health consequences. Scarring, skin discoloration, and several deaths have been reported. Florida and New Jersey are among several states that are starting to regulate the practice. Llitigation can help make certain that spa owners are held responsible.  Trial Magazine

Columnist Jim Landers explores the notion of capping medical malpractice damages as part of  health care reform, an idea that has circulated around Washington for many years. Would capping damages make health care less expensive? The evidence doesn’t support it.   According to a study by a team at the University of Alabama, tort reform has not provided health care cost savings for consumers. Dallas Morning News (4/22)