Just Transparency: Some Massachusetts hospitals continue to struggle with patient safety
Some Massachusetts hospitals recently received barely passing grades for safety, according to Leapfrog, an independent health care rating agency.
In their latest Just Transparency post, Jeffrey Catalano and Eric Asquith note that independent rating agencies serve a vital role in "allowing patients and their families to make informed decisions related to their health care."
Leapfrog's Spring 2017 hospital safety ratings reveal "that nine Massachusetts hospitals received a "C" grade, the lowest grade awarded to any hospital in Massachusetts. Conversely, 31 out of 60 hospitals rated in the state received an "A" rating, with only seven states having a higher percentage of hospitals receiving the top grade," Mr. Catalano and Mr. Asquith write.
They also observe: "With more information available to patients about hospitals than ever before, it is our responsibility to spend as much if not more time researcing hospitals than we do purchasing a car, a house, and other consumer goods. Clearly the consequence of failing to do so may be even more dire."
Mr. Catalano, a partner at the firm, represents victims of catastrophic injuries, including those resulting from medical negligence. He is the current President of the Massachusetts Bar Association. Mr. Asquith concentrates his practice on representing clients in a variety of personal injury matters, including medical malpractice cases.