It appears that there may be more profitable for hospitals when they make mistakes than when they perform error-free – this according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
How is this possible you ask? Well… according to the study authors, complications and errors lead to longer hospital stays and extra care which in turn leads to more expensive treatment. Sadly effective methods exist for reducing error rates dramatically but hospitals have been slow to make the necessary changes. According to the authors, to do so would lead to lower revenues per patient in many cases.
The study found that patients who experienced one or more post-op complications were associated with a whopping $39,017 higher profit per patient with private insurance plans and $1,749 more per patient with Medicare.
And most hospitals treat patients covered by Medicare or private insurance plans. According to the authors, programs to reduce medical errors and medical malpractice actually have a measurable and negative impact on provider bottom lines.
Hospital and physician errors are a major driver of spiraling health care costs. Insurers and Medicare should refuse to reimburse medical providers for additional care necessitated by preventable medical errors.
Remarkably, JAMA had an editorial with the study that called the results “troubling but not surprising…”
How sad is that?
If you are ever the victim of medical malpractice call a qualified Connecticut medical malpractice lawyer. A knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help to ensure that your rights are protected.
RisCassi & Davis has handled hundreds of medical malpractice cases over our more than 65 years serving the people of Connecticut.
What’s more, our Connecticut medical malpractice lawyers have received local and national recognition for our handling of these cases including:
- Top listing in “The Best Lawyers in America” and “Best Law Firms”
- Top listing by Martindale-Hubbell as a “New England Top Rated AV Preeminent® Law Firm.
- Admission of five of our personal injury lawyers as members in the very prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. The American College is a professional society of Fellows who become members only by invitation, with admission limited to experienced, outstanding trial lawyers who are unquestionably and eminently qualified as actively engaged trial lawyers. Only 1% of all trial lawyers in any state are offered admission as members to the College.
- Listing in New England Super Lawyers published by Connecticut Magazine. Less than 5% of attorneys in the New England states receive this honor
- Lifetime Achievement awards from the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
- Board Certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
We have a great team dedicated to medical malpractice cases. Our offices are in Hartford but we are available to meet with you in your home or office if that is easier for you. Please contact us if we can help you. The consultation is free and there is no obligation of any kind.