Florida hospitals and surgery centers reported less patient mortalities due to medical errors compared to previous years, though cases of serious harm have not decreased, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel report.
According to data collected by the state, last year 168 patients died and another 386 were victims of serious harm, such as medication errors and retained foreign objects. Other key findings from the state's data include the following:
• Hospital-acquired infections decreased 37 percent, while hospital readmissions decreased 14 percent.
• One-hundred seventy-four patients underwent a wrong procedure or procedure on the wrong body part last year, representing little change over the past five years.
• Similarly, the number of errors resulting in brain or spinal damage or corrective surgery remained approximately the same.
Read the report about medical errors in Florida.
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According to data collected by the state, last year 168 patients died and another 386 were victims of serious harm, such as medication errors and retained foreign objects. Other key findings from the state's data include the following:
• Hospital-acquired infections decreased 37 percent, while hospital readmissions decreased 14 percent.
• One-hundred seventy-four patients underwent a wrong procedure or procedure on the wrong body part last year, representing little change over the past five years.
• Similarly, the number of errors resulting in brain or spinal damage or corrective surgery remained approximately the same.
Read the report about medical errors in Florida.
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