Every year in the US drunk drivers kill almost 10,000 people but over seven times that many hospital patients die with infections. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that these infections add $45 billion every year to hospital costs.Check out the full series of infographics!
Frequently Asked Questions
(1) That’s incredible. Why isn’t there more government oversight of hospitals? +/–
State and federal agencies have the responsibility to oversee hospital safety, but these agencies have not approached preventing hospital-acquired infections with the urgency it deserves. Public reporting of hospital infections began only after to do so in 2003 and most hospitals still only report a sampling of the patients who get infections while hospitalized. Often patients and their loved ones are not told of the source of their infections and most don’t know where to file complaints about hospitals.
a) Have a friend or family member stay with you (especially at night and on weekends or holidays), be your advocate to help with asking questions, and help you keep a journal of your hospitalization.
b) If you are having scheduled surgery, arrange it for well-staffed times (hospital staffing can be skimpy on weekends or around holidays) and ask your surgeon to test you for MRSA several weeks prior to surgery.
c) Make sure that someone, such as your primary care doctor, coordinates your care across all physicians.
d) Read the Consumer Reports
hospital survival guidefor additional tips.
a) Up to 440,000 people die following a medical error or infection in the hospital.
b) Only 55 percent of us get recommended preventive care.
c) Only 56 percent of chronic illnesses are treated in accordance with practice guidelines.
