“High Malpractice Risk: Hospital-Acquired Conditions”

774 hospitals received financial reimbursement penalties, and associated consequences, in 2021 for elevated rates of preventable hospital-acquired complications, infections and injuries.

The Hospital Acquired Condition Reduction Program, as established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), identifies and penalizes hospitals with elevated rates of acquired blood stream infections, patient falls with trauma, surgical infections and many other conditions unexpectedly acquired during a patient’s stay.

And many of these hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) lead to unnecessary malpractice claims. 

?Over recent years, healthcare organizations have created highly effective educational and training initiatives in an attempt to significantly reduce the number of preventable hospital-acquired conditions. 

Data released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has validated that such efforts have been highly effective, as overall rates of HACs declined by 21% between 2010 and 2015, and by 13% from 2014 to 2017.

 Professional healthcare associations, governmental agencies, and accreditation organizations must continue to provide guidance in patient safety protocols to reduce HACs.

And it is incumbent upon hospitals and healthcare providers to utilize best practices to prevent preventable Hospital-Acquired Conditions.