Blog de Derecho de lesiones personales

When patients seek emergency medical care, they expect hospitals to focus on safety and recovery. That sense of trust matters even more for older adults, who may face higher risks of complications during surgery. Recent research raises concerns about how hospital ownership structures, particularly private equity investment, can affect the quality of care. In some cases, the outcomes have been fatal.

What the Data Says

A new study examined 298,000 surgeries performed on Medicare patients at 701 hospitals nationwide from 2011 to 2020. Researchers were surprised to find that patients who had emergency surgeries at hospitals owned by private-equity investment firms were 42 percent more likely to die within 30 days compared to those treated at hospitals not owned by private equity.

Researchers evaluated four common emergency procedures: appendectomies, gallbladder removals, partial colon removals and hernia repairs. The 30-day death rate was 6.4 percent in hospitals not owned by private equity, compared to 9.1 percent for private equity-owned facilities. The difference suggests that cost-cutting measures in critical areas like ERs could affect patient safety. Their findings, published in the Health Affairs medical journal, held up even after accounting for factors like age, gender and pre-existing health conditions.

This study isn’t the only one that points to risks. Other research published in JAMA found that Medicare patients in private-equity hospitals were 25 percent more likely to suffer “hospital-acquired conditions,” like falls or bloodstream infections. Yet these patients were, on average, healthier when they were admitted to the facility. In another analysis of over 300 hospitals, patients in private equity-owned facilities gave lower ratings for the quality of their care and staff responsiveness. The findings question whether patients receive adequate care when they need it the most.

Medical Malpractice in Hospitals

Although they’re not Chicago-specific, the studies raise important questions for city residents, many of whom depend on large hospital systems for emergency treatment. Older adults, including Medicare recipients, may be especially at risk during emergency surgeries. If how a hospital is run behind the scenes shapes the way care is delivered, it’s a crucial consideration for patients and families when making medical decisions.

Negligencia médica happens when a patient suffers harm because a medical professional or facility failed to provide the accepted standard of care. While some malpractice stems from a single error, it can also result from broader systemic problems at hospitals, like staffing shortages, lack of oversight or insufficient post-operative monitoring. Such issues become even more serious when patient care takes a backseat to profits.

Getting Compensation for Medical Errors

While the Health Affairs study focused on surgeries, medical malpractice also covers other types of negligence that can harm patients, such as misdiagnosis, medication mistakes y lesiones de nacimiento. Illinois medical malpractice laws allow injured patients to seek compensation for substandard medical care. Damages include not only physical injuries but also emotional distress, lost wages and future medical expenses. If a loved one passes away due to preventable medical mistakes, families can pursue a reclamación por muerte injusta.

Medical malpractice cases can be complex. Hospitals are often protected by insurance companies and legal teams that work hard to avoid admitting fault and minimize payouts. That’s why it’s important for patients and families to work with a skilled medical malpractice lawyer who understands what it takes to build a strong claim. In some cases, that includes investigating whether hospital ownership or management decisions contributed to the harm a patient suffered. Sometimes, even multiple parties may be responsible.

Contacto Briskman Briskman & Greenberg

If you or a loved one was injured due to medical mistakes, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg está aquí para ayudar. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand the complexities of medical malpractice cases and are committed to holding negligent hospitals and healthcare providers accountable. Póngase en contacto con nosotros today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.