A Dying Man’s Wish To Save Others Hits Hospital Ethics Hurdle
One terminally ill man's hope to be disconnected from his respirator and donate his organs was almost thwarted, despite his best laid plans.
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One terminally ill man's hope to be disconnected from his respirator and donate his organs was almost thwarted, despite his best laid plans.
Medicare reduced payments to 769 hospitals in the program, punishing facilities that have high rates of patient injuries, including infections, blood clots, falls and bed sores. This year, federal officials also added the prevalence of two dangerous bacteria.
As Medicare considers paying for knee replacement procedures outside the hospital, doctors debate patient choice and the potential for post-operation complications.
Hospitals rarely help patients find the best nursing home. When they do advise, hospitals sometimes push their own facilities.
Older patients who were treated in the hospital by women physicians were less likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, according to a new study.
Lawyers who deposed top company officials in a civil case say they declined to answer questions about their failure to warn American hospitals of infection risks. Industry giant Olympus also is the subject of a criminal probe.
Patients sometimes find an additional charge, generally between $30 and $200, tacked onto their bill for visiting a hospital emergency room between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Small manufacturers are betting that disposable medical scopes will slash the risk of infection during procedures. Some doctors are skeptical of the cheaper models.
As patients’ share of medical bills has grown with the rise in deductibles, copays and coinsurance, providers have become laser focused on getting payments up front.
Seniors who feel they’re being rushed out of the hospital can file an appeal to halt the process but they need to act fast.
The federal agency took 14 months to warn the public about the potential for infections. Officials say they acted as fast as they could.
The effect of “repeal and replace” could have greatest consequences for hospitals. They accepted lower federal funding under the law because their uncompensated care was expected to fall as more people became insured.
An innovative partnership in which a children’s hospital shares revenue and costs with a community hospital helps improve access to specialized care.
The “reps,” who are there to answer any technical questions that arise during surgery, also often cultivate close relationships with the doctors, leading to questions about how much influence they wield.
Some networks of hospitals, doctors and medical services are now so dominant in their region that they can hike their prices and force patients to waive the right to sue when things go wrong.
Nitrous oxide for laboring women was popular in the U.S. until the mid-20th century when it went out of favor when birth became more medicalized. Now, midwives are putting it back on the "menu" of pain relief options for childbirth.
A deadly superbug has been linked to at least four deaths and nine other cases in the U.S. and has spread across the globe in just six years.
The agency found several prominent facilities had not followed rules on reporting incidents in which patients were harmed.
New workplace health rules in California would go beyond existing safety standards by requiring private health care facilities to develop specific plans to mitigate risks of violence against workers.
Ending pain and suffering has helped several states pass “right-to-die” laws, but dying patients are more concerned about controlling how they die and dying with dignity.
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