Parker Waichman LLP

NY Hospitals Urged to Adopt Aggressive Anti-Infection Protocols

New York’s state Department of Health Anti-Infection Protocols. New York’s state Department of Health just a released a report revealing that the rate of hospital infection in surgical intensive care units (ICUs) linked to central line intravenous hookups was 3.7 for each 1,000 days that patients had such a hookup. The 2007 national rate was 2.7 […]

Anti-Infection Protocols

New York’s state Department of Health Anti-Infection Protocols. New York’s state Department of Health just a released a report revealing that the rate of hospital infection in surgical intensive care units (ICUs) linked to central line intravenous hookups was 3.7 for each 1,000 days that patients had such a hookup. The 2007 national rate was 2.7 infections for each 1,000 days, showing that NY patients had a 37% greater chance of infection over the national average. A central line is a tube into a major vein that allows doctors to administer medication or monitor patient condition.

The infection data, which did not include hospital-specific information, was publicized in compliance with a 2005 law requiring NY to track infection trends. Next year, health officials are expected to publicize infection rates by facility; however, in September, the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) began publicizing infection and death rates at its 11 hospitals. “The only acceptable infection rate is zero, so hospitals that settle for being below average are dangerous places to be,” said Betsy McCaughey, founder of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths,

State health officials said they could not explain the disparity between infection rates in New York and nationwide, however, they said NY City’s rate of central line-associated infections was lower than that in upstate hospitals, and that upstate infection rates raised the statewide average. In New York City, 2.8 of 1,000 central lines in medical ICUs resulted in infections, compared to 3.6 upstate; 2.7 of 1,000 central lines in surgical ICUs resulted in infection versus 4.8 upstate.

Criticized The State For Leaving Infections Off A List Of Preventable Hospital Errors.

McCaughey criticized the state for leaving infections off a list of preventable hospital errors that the state’s Medicaid program will no longer pay for effective October 2008 and compared the state policy unfavorably to a federal policy announced last summer by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which will not reimburse hospitals for infections and other preventable hospital errors. “Medicaid has a responsibility to use its purchasing power to pressure hospitals to eliminate infections,” McCaughey said. “New York taxpayers should not be paying to treat infections that shouldn’t happen.” Meanwhile, a nonpartisan congressional report released in April stated that the U.S. government could do more to force hospitals to prevent infections that are killing up to 99,000 people annually.

Claudia Hutton, a spokeswoman for the state’s health department said the new Medicaid policy does not include infections in the list of errors it would not pay for because that initiative was concentrated on the types of things that “never, ever should happen,” such as operating on the wrong patient or on the wrong body part. “Infections you want never to happen, but infections, there’s a more likely risk that they can happen,” she said.

Last year alone, 94,000 Americans developed MRSA—methicillin-resistant S. aureus; most were infected in healthcare facilities and 19,000 died. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says drug-resistant infections in hospitals must be fought with multiple strategies: Better hospital hygiene, enhanced cleaning, and testing.

Need Legal Help?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Responsiveness I had the pleasure of working with Parker Waichman and especially Christina Morace who did a professional and fantastic job keeping me updated with everything. I am truly happy wit tge firm and Christina Morace.
angela Walker
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I recommend them, very good job! thanks to Jorge Peniche and Michelle Pabon for always being attentive and helping with any questions and concerns.
Eric Andujar
4 months ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I am very grateful to the Waichman LLP law firm for all their help throughout the process. In my case, they were very kind, especially my friend Jorge Peniche, who was very attentive to my case. I am more satisfied with the final decision in my case. Thank you very much.
Silverwolf Romano
a year ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038