Federal government penalizing 13 SC hospitals
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP/WIS) - The federal government is penalizing 13 South Carolina hospitals for making too many avoidable mistakes that harm patients.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reports the hospitals will lose 1 percent of their Medicare reimbursements this fiscal year. They are among more than 700 hospitals nationwide assessed the penalty.
A federal report scores hospitals on infections caused by tubes that pump medicine or fluid into large veins, urinary tract infections caused by catheters, and complications based on blood clots, bed sores or falls.
Rick Foster with the state Hospital Association says the data provides an imperfect snapshot of patient safety because it involves only patients covered by the federal program for the elderly and disabled. He also says hospitals are judged on data that's more than a year old.
Penalized South Carolina Hospitals:
Aiken Regional Medical Center
Beaufort County Memorial Hospital
Conway Medical Center
Kershaw Health
Mcleod Medical Center - Dillon
MUSC Medical Center
Novant Health Gaffney Medical Center
Oconee Medical Center
Palmetto Health Baptist
Palmetto Health Baptist Easley
Palmetto Health Richland
Spartanburg Regional Medical Center
TRMC of Orangeburg and Calhoun
Click here for a link to the report.
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