Local Hospitals Found to Have High Mortality Rates

hospital mortality and readmission rates The most recent report form the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council has revealed that some local hospitals have significantly higher than expected mortality rates.

The report determined mortality rates and readmission rates for 17 common conditions that lead to hospitalization in Pennsylvania. Some of the medical conditions or procedures include heart attack, pneumonia, and septicemia, which is an infection of the blood stream.

Specifically, Carlisle Regional Medical Center, York Memorial Hospital and York Hospital had significantly higher than expected death rates. Some of the incidents that led to higher mortality rates include:

Abnormal heartbeat and pneumonia at Carlisle Regional Medical Center
Congestive heart failure at York Memorial Hospital
Congestive heart failure and stroke at York hospital

PinnacleHealth System registered higher mortality rates for septicemia, pneumonia, hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure) and fainting.

An increased mortality and readmission rate could indicate problems with the quality of care at these hospitals. If the medical center fails to provide adequate care, a person may develop septicemia from pneumonia, kidney infections or urinary tract infections. Septicemia can quickly become life-threatening.

Last year’s reports revealed that PinnacleHealth System registered significantly higher than expected mortality rates as well.

Statewide, the 2015 report concluded that mortality rates had showed significant improvement for 10 common conditions and procedures since 2009. The biggest improvement was in septicemia events, which fell to an 11 percent rate in 2014. Rates also significantly fell for conditions like pneumonia, heart attack, kidney failure and stroke. Additionally, hospitals like Holy Spirit and Lancaster General had no significant higher than expected mortality or readmission rates.

When you enter a medical facility, you expect to receive the best care possible, but that is not always the case. If you were recently admitted to a hospital and believe you received substandard care, which resulted in illness or injury, you may be entitled to file a medical malpractice claim. Our experienced team of attorneys at Schmidt Kramer can help you determine your legal options.

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Local Hospitals Found to Register Higher Mortality Rates