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)

Ambulance crews may be unknowingly exposing patients to drug-resistant bacteria through unsanitized stethoscopes. According to a new report, published in the journal Prehospital Emergency Care, emergency medical service workers failed to clean stethoscopes as often as they should, potentially spreading methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. An simple alcohol swab is usually sufficient to kill these deadly bacteria.

Eric Nagourney, The New York Times 03/16/2009
Read Article: The New York Times

Detroit Free Press: “A New York drug company paid pediatricians consulting fees and treated them to expensive meals and entertainment to get them to prescribe antidepressants to children, a class action charged.” Michigan has joined 13 other states in the suit. | Full story

A Florida law allowing doctors to opt out of medical malpractice insurance is putting patients at risk, critics of the law say. Patient advocates contend that the law leaves those harmed by doctors with few options to recover damages for their injury. According to a state physicians database one-eighth of Florida doctors do not carry malpractice insurance. Bob LaMendola, South Florida Sun-Sentinel 07/27/2008