The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a report that finds that 1 in 7 Medicare patients suffered an “adverse event” while hospitalized. THE KEY FINDINGS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: An estimated 13.5 percent of hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries experienced adverse events during their hospital stays. This rate projects to an estimated 134,000 Medicare … Read more →

In a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers reported that harm resulting from medical care was “common,” with approximately 1 in 5 patients harmed after admission to the hospital.  The study found that some patients are harmed more than once, and that a significant majority (63.1%) of the injuries could … Read more →

The Gary Post-Tribune has reported that five Indiana nursing homes located in Lake County have rated poorly, despite participation in a new program aimed to improve care and safety in long-term care facilities.  The facilities referenced in the news report are: Northlake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Sebo’s, and Dyer Nursing.  The article discusses the troubled … Read more →

A large percentage of nursing home residents’ emergency department (ED) visits are avoidable, according to a recently released report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Using data collected for the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey, the CDC found that roughly 8% of nursing home patients—roughly 123,600—had an emergency department visit in the past 90 days. Of those, the CDC … Read more →

New AAJ report shows how litigation holds nursing homes, insurance companies accountable when they target nation’s seniors Washington, D.C.—A new report by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) illustrates how the civil justice system is the most effective force in uncovering abuses by corporate nursing homes and insurance companies that target elderly Americans. There are … Read more →