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The Link Between Patient Outcomes and Accreditation in US (and Maryland) Hospitals

Medical malpractice is a massive problem in Maryland and across the US. When visiting a physician or other healthcare provider, you assume you will be receiving reliable care. If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of medical malpractice, it is vital to contact our Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys to schedule a free consultation. If we accept your case, we will stand by your side throughout the entire legal process, acting as your advocates against medical negligence.

The Study

A recent study published in BMJ sought to examine, among other things, whether patients who are admitted to American hospitals, which are accredited, have more positive results than individuals who are admitted to hospitals assessed by state surveys. The study observed a total of 4400 hospitals across the country, of which 3337 were accredited and 1063 went under state based review between 2014 and 2017. The main outcome measures were mortality and readmission rates. Researchers concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that patients choosing a hospital accredited by the Joint Commission, the largest and most well known accrediting body, provides any healthcare benefits over choosing a hospital accredited by another independent accrediting organization.

Baltimore Medical Malpractice Claims

Medical malpractice takes place when a physician engages in conduct that a reasonable doctor would not have engaged in or when a physician fails to act in terms of treating a patient in a manner that a reasonable physician would have done. The question of “reasonableness” is judged against the standard of care among other medical professionals practicing in the same specialty. Common examples of medical malpractice include:

  • Diagnostic errors;
  • Surgical errors;
  • Anesthesia errors;
  • Physician errors including communication errors;
  • Failure to obtain informed consent;
  • Delivery mishaps or birth injuries;
  • Medication errors.

In Maryland malpractice cases, it is necessary to establish what the standard of care is in the professional community. This is done through the use of an expert witness who is typically the same type of medical professional as the defendant medical professional. Finding a reliable expert witness is critical to your case because this testimony can greatly influence the outcome of the case.

Damages in Medical Malpractice Cases

If you have been injured as a result of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include compensation for out-of-pocket losses such as past and future medical expenses, and past and future lost wages, as well as loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages typically include inconvenience, loss of quality of life, emotional distress, pain and suffering and other losses, which are harder to quantify.

Reputable Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorneys

If you suspect that you or someone close to you was the victim of medical malpractice, you should seek legal assistance immediately. At Arfaa Law Group, our highly skilled Baltimore hospital malpractice lawyers understand how stressful dealing with a medical injuries can be, which is why we will dedicate our time and resources to hold the negligent party accountable in your case. To arrange your free confidential consultation today, please do not hesitate to call us today at 410-889-1850 or contact us online.

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