Quality Conundrum: Complications Boost Hospital Profits

[Little Bluestem]

When a hospital error causes a patient to have to stay longer and need additional services, the hospital makes more money.

"We have never seen hospitals that are actively trying to cause complications to make a profit," Gawande told Shots. "But we've seen a lot of hospitals where you say, "Why aren't you investing in reducing risk, the way other industries do?' "

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/201...onundrum-complications-boost-hospital-profits

 

[MeSci]

When a hospital error causes a patient to have to stay longer and need additional services, the hospital makes more money.

"We have never seen hospitals that are actively trying to cause complications to make a profit," Gawande told Shots. "But we've seen a lot of hospitals where you say, "Why aren't you investing in reducing risk, the way other industries do?' "

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/201...onundrum-complications-boost-hospital-profits

Of course the reverse is true - or should be true - in countries where healthcare is paid for from taxation, although successive governments in the UK have continued to promote short-term practices such as fast throughput, leading to more complications, more readmissions and consequently more cost.

We seem to have records of hospital complications and errors as bad as the US, and other countries don't seem to fare much better.

I think there is something seriously wrong with societies' whole approach to health and healthcare.