West Anaheim (Calif.) Medical Center has been chosen as a top 100 U.S. hospital by Thomson Reuters, despite allegations and other news reports that suggest the hospital and its parent company Prime Healthcare Services have struggled with infections and fraud, according to an Orange County Register news report.
Just six months ago, the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West released a report on 2008 federal data that showed dangerously high rates of a blood infection called septicemia. The union claimed West Anaheim had the second highest rate of septicemia of all Prime facilities, clocking in at 23 percent. The national average for septicemia is 4.8 percent, according to the news report.
Prime officials have denied fraud, saying the rate is higher because Prime facilities treat much sicker patients and the union released the data as a means to extort the hospital chain. State officials are preparing a report following investigations on the union's analysis.
Earlier this year, a nonprofit news organization released a news report that suggested West Anaheim frequently coded for a rare malnutrition disorder that is typically found in Third World countries, according to the news report. Again, West Anaheim officials denied any fraudulent activity.
A spokesman for Thomson Reuters said hospitals cannot pay for inclusion on its top 100 list, which relies on federal data including mortality rates and safety. "The fact that someone is under investigation or is accused of something wouldn't necessarily be reflected in that data," David Wilkins said.
Read the news report about West Anaheim Medical Center.
Read other coverage about infections:
- Dr. Edo McGowan Responds to Study Indicating MRSA Infection May Be Seasonal
- CMS Releases Hospital-Acquired Conditions Data
- How to Achieve a 0.3% Surgery Center Infection Rate: Q&A With Karen Lombard of Amerinet
Just six months ago, the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West released a report on 2008 federal data that showed dangerously high rates of a blood infection called septicemia. The union claimed West Anaheim had the second highest rate of septicemia of all Prime facilities, clocking in at 23 percent. The national average for septicemia is 4.8 percent, according to the news report.
Prime officials have denied fraud, saying the rate is higher because Prime facilities treat much sicker patients and the union released the data as a means to extort the hospital chain. State officials are preparing a report following investigations on the union's analysis.
Earlier this year, a nonprofit news organization released a news report that suggested West Anaheim frequently coded for a rare malnutrition disorder that is typically found in Third World countries, according to the news report. Again, West Anaheim officials denied any fraudulent activity.
A spokesman for Thomson Reuters said hospitals cannot pay for inclusion on its top 100 list, which relies on federal data including mortality rates and safety. "The fact that someone is under investigation or is accused of something wouldn't necessarily be reflected in that data," David Wilkins said.
Read the news report about West Anaheim Medical Center.
Read other coverage about infections:
- Dr. Edo McGowan Responds to Study Indicating MRSA Infection May Be Seasonal
- CMS Releases Hospital-Acquired Conditions Data
- How to Achieve a 0.3% Surgery Center Infection Rate: Q&A With Karen Lombard of Amerinet
