Medical Errors Skyrocket 70 Percent August 18, 2014.

The number of medical errors in one state increased 70 percent last year, since it revamped its reporting requirements, Insurance Journal said.

According to the August 15, 2014, article, mistakes included bedsores, surgical fires, contaminated medication, and wrong site surgery, such as removing the wrong kidney.

"Acute care hospitals in the state reported 753 incidents, while other types of hospitals reported 206 incidents," Fierce Healthcare stated. "Part of the reason for the hike may be due to the fact that hospitals must now report serious injuries, patient death or injury from failure to follow-up or communicate laboratory, pathology or radiology test results."

Elsewhere, since 2012, one in three hospitals has improved its performance by at least 10 percent, Fierce Healthcare said in April. Moreover, 804 out of 2,522 hospitals merited an A grade in safety, and 668 scored a B. Training and hygiene accounted for much of that progress.

May 6, 2014, Crain's Cleveland reported that six University Hospitals facilities earned an A, and Cleveland Clinic’s main campus was given a C in Leapfrog Group’s annual survey.

"Ohio does not have an error reporting program for hospitals, but it does have scattered outcome reporting requirements for mortality and other selected adverse events for six types of health care facilities that require licensing within the State of Ohio," according to the Quality & Patient Safety website. Those healthcare facilities include ambulatory surgical facilities, freestanding dialysis centers, rehabilitation facilities, freestanding birthing facilities, freestanding radiation therapy centers, and freestanding mobile diagnostic imaging centers.

If you have questions about a medical error, attorney Chris Mellino invites you to contact our Cleveland office for a free consultation. You may also download Chris’ free, easy-to-read guide, Your Ohio Medical Malpractice Questions Answered, read testimonials, or learn about previous case results.