Modern society relies on an abundance of information in order receive answers and make informed decisions. Medical decisions, some of the most important a person will make in their lifetime, are often acted upon without enough reliable information.

Recently, The Leapfrog Group, a national health care advocacy organization, released report cards for the nation’s most notable hospitals, including some Ohio institutions, and hospital administrators are not happy with the results. The report was issued in an effort to inform patients and encourage medical centers reduce their hospital negligence rates. This information could mean the difference between life and death for some patients.

The Cleveland Clinic, one of the most noteworthy medical institutions in Ohio, received a “C” for a grade. This score is based on the overall safety of the hospital, including preventable infection rates, medication mistakes and other sources of negligent care. The hospital has a particularly high occurrence of bloodstream infections.

In response to the grade, officials at the Cleveland Clinic said that the study relied on flawed methodology. They indicate that their efforts to improve the quality of patient care have been effective over the last several years.

An official from Leapfrog commented that the organization is frustrated by the lack of improvement in patient care. This apparent lack of progress is a reality even though hospitals report making efforts to improve safety for the last decade.

The information that Leapfrog is very beneficial information to have, as it explains to patients exactly what to types of treatments they should be leery about at each hospital. This information can help patients make the decisions they need to avoid catastrophic, preventable medical mistakes.

These report cards are only one way to hold hospitals accountable for providing negligent care. Whenever a medical institution’s practices contribute to an avoidable medical error, patients affected by the mistake may have the legal recourse to issue a civil suit for malpractice. A civil claim against a physician or medical institution can send a clear message that it is essential for all hospitals to take the necessary steps to keep their patients safe and healthy.

Source: The Wall Sreet Journal, “Big Hospitals Get-and Dispute-Poor Patient-Safety Grades from Leapfrog,” Laura Landro, June 7, 2012