Hey – check this article out:
http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-11-14T222155Z_01_N14293203_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-INFECTIONS.XML
“WASHINGTON, Nov 14 (Reuters) – More than 19,000 patients came down with an infection in 2005 in Pennsylvania hospitals, the state reported on Tuesday as it became the first in the United States to divulge infection data for individual hospitals.”
The article continues – stating
“Consumer advocates hailed the report on infections contracted by patients in the state’s 168 hospitals by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, an independent state agency.
“It sets the bar for other states,” said Lisa McGiffert of the Consumers Union advocacy group.
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if Marc Volavka, the agency’s executive director, called these infections serious, costly and largely preventable.”
Next the article cites The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stating the Agency “has urged hospitals to do more to prevent infections, especially drug-resistant “superbugs,” which are becoming more and more of a threat to patients.”
“Every year, infections caught in U.S. hospitals kill 90,000 people, the CDC says. Facilities need to keep track of such infections and put into place regular programs to fight them, it said in a report in October.”
WOW – way to go Pennsylvania! I am glad to see some state advocacy – and you know what, it will probably help the state financially in the end. If the state pays Medicaid – and Medicaid recipients get these infections, the state is certainly paying a great deal for care.
So good job – although I am fearful your neighbor to the south – Virginia, will not be quick to follow!