Hospitals Shouldn’t Be Deadly – Quality Patient Care

Picking up an infection while being hospitalized is common – and preventable. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a tough “super bug” that causes serious damage and suffering – or death. The Centers for Disease Control estimated in 2011 that 62,500 people developed MRSA during hospitalization, and 9,200 of those lost their lives.
Hospital-acquired MRSA doesn’t need to happen. Research found that not having enough nurses on duty in a hospital was a key factor in the spread of this dangerous infection.
–Overcrowding and Understaffing in Modern Health-care Systems: Key Determinants in Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Transmission
Archie Clements, et al., Lancent Infectious Disease, July 2008

Patient Story

Unsafe staffing costs a Florida facility $1 billion

From Trial Magazine, March 2014 issue: Trial Magazine, 3/11/14 VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS Arlene Townsend, 63 suffered a stroke and required 24-hour care. She was admitted to Auburndale Oaks Healthcare Center, a nursing home owned by Trans Healthcare, Inc. In the three years leading up to her death, Townsend suffered numerous fall resulting in broken bones and lacerations, infections, significant weight loss, chronic constipation, skin breakdowns, dehydration, and other problems. She is survived by her adult son. Townsend’s estate sued Trans Healthcare, alleging that it had understaffed the nursing home to increase profits and failed to provide adequate care, including protecting Townsend from falls, ensuring a safe environment, and documenting changes to her condition. The court entered a judgment of liability against the defendant, and the…