A campaign that focuses on infection prevention and improved medical outcomes has been launched by the California Hospital Association, according to recent news sources.
The California Hospital Association president stated,
“Hospitals across California are making huge strides in improving the quality of care by advancing a culture of safety. Our campaign will highlight these efforts, as well as engage patients as our partners, with reminders about good safety practices that everyone should follow.”
The Association has utilized the internet and television to get the message to the public. The TV advertisement is a one-minute campaign focusing on doctors and nurses talking about the steps that can be taken by caregivers as well as the public to keep patients from becoming infected by other illnesses in hospitals. They cite washing hands before and after contact with those who are ill, and receiving vaccinations and flu shots.
The campaign on the internet features an ad that describes how hospitals are working to reduce infections, falls by patients, and blood poisoning.
According to California health officials, 12,000 people die yearly in California from healthcare related infections that occur in hospitals. In the United States as a whole, 99,000 deaths occur as a result of infections acquired in hospitals. This increases spending by an estimated $33 billion each year.
As a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney, I’m glad to see California officials recognizing this issue. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a hospital and believe it was the fault of another party, I recommend speaking with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.