Personal Injury Law

Illinois? Hospital Death Rates Published

By Steven M. Levin and John J. Perconti

The Chicago Tribune is publishing that patients are in fact dying in hospitals with great reputations more than those with poor ones. Immediately, medical centers around the state are challenging the information by stating that it did not accurately reflect the different patients that each hospital treats. While the hospitals are stating that these statistics are born on false characteristics, the Illinois Department of Health states that the methodology was developed by significant testing and evaluation.

This would be the first time that Illinois has published mortality data for hospitals. The numbers include many alarming facts. For example, death rates for those patients who have congestive heart failure are higher at the U. of C. Medical hospitals. The average Illinois hospitalization rate for those with congestive heart failure is 3.88 percent while U of C stands at 4.86 percent. Additionally the U of C reported more deaths among patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. The statewide average of deaths was 2.87 percent while U of C boasted a 4.94 percent.

The U of C. was not the only facility with poor statistics. The University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center also boasted higher number of medical deaths. For example, stroke patients death rates at this hospital averaged at 10.67 percent compared to an average of 9.10 percent. If you have a loved one that has fallen victim to medical error at one of these hospitals, please consult a Chicago medical malpractice attorney. To read more about the new medical malpractice report, please click the link.

Full post as published by Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog on April 13, 2010 (boomark / email).