In a 2017 report from Leapfrog Group, Georgia hospitals were listed near the bottom of the list at 40 out of 49 when it comes to patient safety. On the bright side, 14 Georgia hospitals were rated “A, ” and none of Georgia hospitals received an “F” rating.
The Leapfrog rankings are based on hospital performance in the prevention of medical errors, injuries and infections. As part of the report, grades were assigned to more than 2,600 hospitals across the country. Grades were assigned from “A” to “F,” and approximately 1/3rd of the hospitals were graded as “A.” Leapfrog also handed out more than 660 “B” grades, 964 “C” grades and 159 “D” grades. 15 hospitals were rated “F. “
According to Leapfrog, errors, accidents, infections and injuries are some of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in American hospitals, and patients deserve to know how the hospitals in their neighborhoods performed on important patient safety parameters.
The report did have some encouraging news. Several states have been able to significantly improve their patient records over the five years that Leapfrog has been releasing these rankings. Fortunately, the same report ranked Georgia at 17 in 2018, a significant improvement from the year prior. Rhode Island, for instance, which was ranked at the absolute bottom of the list in 2012, was ranked best in 2017 in terms of patient safety. Currently, New Jersey is on the top of the list.
Medical errors are the third leading cause of fatalities in the United States, second only to cancer and heart disease. Transparency of the kind promoted by Leapfrog can go a long way in helping hospitals improve their patient safety standards, and reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities on their premises. Improvements in hand hygiene, reduction of errors in surgical rooms, efforts to minimize the risk of misdiagnoses and delayed diagnoses and other steps can go a long way in helping hospitals improve safety standards for patients and keep patients safe.
Negligent medical care can result in significant economic losses to its victims. Such losses can be in the form of medical expenses, lost wages and loss of services. A person who has experienced negligent medical care will usually experience some form or permanent injury as well as a lifetime of pain and suffering and mental anguish. Not only is the person affected for a lifetime, but their family members will suffer similar losses and burdens as well.
While medical malpractice cases can be complicated to pursue, our attorneys are well versed in the medical and legal issues involved in these types of cases to help navigate you to a successful result.
The Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys at the Katz Personal Injury Lawyers represent persons injured as a result of medical negligence in the Atlanta region and across Georgia.