We shouldn't pay hospitals to treat us for preventable infections we got from the hospital stay itself. And hospitals should report their infection rates so people can compare and pick the best, safest hospital for surgery, childbirth or illness.
These kind of common sense changes have already been tested in many states and they work! Now its time--past time really--to extend these safety incentives to every hospital in every community.
Urge your House and Senate lawmakers member to pass these common sense changes.
When physicians provide poor quality care, their patients are typically the last to know. Some physician backgrounds may be available in your state, but can you tell which ones have the most complaints, malpractice claims or disciplinary actions? Knowing the background information on your doctor could save your life.
Americans have suffered and lost their lives because they are not given ALL information about risks by either manufacturers or the FDA. Pharmaceutical companies should be accountable for safety problems, and not keep drug risks hidden from the public. Medical device companies should respond to malfunctioning implants.
Hospital acquired infections are a leading cause of death in the U.S. Consumers Union supports public disclosure of infection rates so that you can choose the safest hospital and hospitals will have an incentive to improve.
Wrong surgery, wrong medication, serious bedsores... Unsafe practices and poor quality care kill 98,000 patients each year and waste billions of dollars every year. What information do you have about the safety of your hospital? What protections do you have if the hospital makes a mistake with you?
