A new survey sheds light on which Pennsylvania hospitals are safest for patients — and which might be the most dangerous. Hospital practices are directly linked to the risk of a patient’s experiencing medical malpractice in the form of avoidable illness or injury. Next time you need to head to a hospital in Pennsylvania for imaging, lab work, or surgery, it’s worth taking the time to check how your local hospital stacks up in the newest safety ranking.
A Broad Range in Pennsylvania Hospital Grades
Each year, a non-profit watchdog group called The Leapfrog Group releases its Hospital Safety Grade. This survey uses letter grades to rate hospitals according to their safety practices. In theory, the higher a hospital’s safety grade, the lower the risk of its patients’ suffering instances of medical malpractice.
While many Pennsylvania hospitals earned an A letter grade for their patient safety practices, more than a few came in near the bottom with grades of D.
Pennsylvania residents might be relieved to hear that Pennsylvania ranked 4th in the nation for hospital safety. However, that ranking comes as an average determined using hospital scores from across the state. Fortunately, no Pennsylvania hospital earned a failing grade of F in the fall 2023 hospital safety survey.
If your health was harmed by a Pennsylvania hospital, you might be eligible for medical malpractice compensation. Call Wapner Newman at (800) 529-6600 and learn how we can help during a free consultation.
Biggest Safety Issues in Pennsylvania Hospitals
Unsafe Medication Practices Are a Leading Issue
The most recent round of the survey left five hospitals in Pennsylvania with a near-failing patient safety grade of D. The Leapfrog Group’s survey offers in-depth insight into the exact areas in which Pennsylvania hospitals are excelling at patient safety — and where they’re failing. Some of the areas in which patient safety is most at risk include:
- MRSA and blood infections
- Sepsis after surgery
- Blood clots
- Bed sores
- Patient falls
- Safe medication administration
- Handwashing
- Communication about medication
- Communication about discharge
- Surgical wounds reopening
- Death from treatable complications.
While some of these problem areas were more severe at certain facilities, all of the facilities that earned a D grade ranked poorly in safe medication administration and communication about medication.
All six D-rated Pennsylvania hospitals also earned the lowest possible score for handwashing practices.
The top hospital safety issues highlighted in the survey concern areas that put patient health at serious risk. Perhaps more importantly, they are all avoidable. When hospitals allow poor safety practices to go unchecked, the result is often occurrences of patient injury and death that constitute medical malpractice.
Is It Time to Partner With a Different Hospital?
Before you vow never to set foot in your neighborhood hospital again, be aware that although some of these grades from The Leapfrog Group may set off alarms, they do not represent a complete snapshot of every healthcare facility. They are essentially a 30,000-foot snapshot view of each facility.
In other words, these grades are collectively earned; thus, one department might rank as an “A” player even though its professionals are housed in a “D” hospital. Plus, some hospitals focus on complex procedures and treatments, meaning they simply have more opportunities to make minor errors that could add up. This doesn’t give any hospital an “out,” but it does showcase how important it is to look at all aspects of a healthcare facility before settling on one.
Injured in a Pennsylvania Hospital? A Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help.
Taking the time to research safety rankings for your nearby hospitals can help ensure you’re choosing a healthcare facility that takes patient safety seriously. However, healthcare providers are human, which means they all make mistakes from time to time. When a medical mistake leads to serious injury, illness, or death, it’s time to contact a Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney for help obtaining compensation.
If you think you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, Wapner Newman can help. Our experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys have a strong track record of recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in injury settlements and verdicts, and we’re ready to discuss your case.
Call Wapner Newman today at (800) 529-6600 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyer.