Portsmouth Naval Medical Center is Flagged over Post Care Illness rates

You go to hospitals to get well, but not all hospitals are equal. If you are being treated at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center your chances of getting sick after treatment are significantly higher than in many other military facilities, according to a new study.

Recently, the Virginian-Pilot reported on how Portsmouth Naval Medical Center had been flagged as one of eight military hospitals across the county with “significantly higher than expected” rates of patients who ended up sick after their treatment.

The findings were released this week by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel after a 90-day review of the military’s healthcare system, which serves 9.6 million active duty troops as well as their families and retirees.

The review follows close on the heels of an investigation into poor treatment at Veterans Affairs facilities.

Hagel has instructed military medical officials to show how they can improve their hospitals within 45 days. Portsmouth Naval Hospital was highlighted for rates of post-surgery infection over the past two years. In 2010-11, it recorded a high rate of post-operation urinary tract infections, according to the report.

And a review over three years, found an above average rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia – a condition that sets in 48 hours after a mechanical ventilation.

The findings were set out in the Military Health System Review. Although Hagel said the military healthcare system provided a level of healthcare that is comparable with the private sector, Hagel said he would not accept average.

You don’t need to be a Virginia medical malpractice attorney, to realize the standard of care at some VA hospitals has been well below average. At a recent Congressional hearing, delays in treatment at some VA hospitals were directly linked to patient deaths.

If you have been harmed by a surgical mistake, a failure to treat, given the incorrect medication or being neglected at a hospital or nursing home, causing illness or injury you may have grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. In some cases poor medical treatment leads to the death of a loved one. Call Cooper Hurley at 757.455.0077 or see CooperHurley.com