Three local hospitals post high death rates
Mortality up in 1 of 12 categories
Some area hospitals had higher than expected mortality rates related to specific medical conditions or procedures from 2007 to 2011.
Regional Hospital of Scranton, Wayne Memorial Hospital and Geisinger Health System in Danville each had higher mortality rates in one of 12 categories, according to the recent hospital performance report released by the Pennsylvania Health Cost Care Containment Council.
The report evaluates 157 hospitals throughout the state, providing information on each category for the volume of cases, mortality, readmissions and charges for patients. Statewide, most categories showed no significant change in the number of occurrences in the five-year period, while four had decreases.
An independent state agency, PHC4 collects, analyzes and reports information related to quality and cost of health care in the state. The report did not disclose how many deaths each hospital reported for each category, only total cases.
Regional Hospital of Scranton had higher than expected mortality rates related to kidney and urinary tract infections. With 215 cases of kidney and urinary tract infections in the five-year period, hospital spokeswoman Sandra Osieski the deaths reported were expected.
"For the cases included in the current PHC4 report, mortality was not an unexpected outcome as four patients had elected 'do not resuscitate status' and received comfort care," Ms. Osieski said.
At Wayne Memorial Hospital, the report showed higher rates of mortality for pneumonia-aspiration, showing 29 total cases at the hospital. Common causes of this include coma, problems with swallowing and decreased mental alertness from medication or alcohol. Director of patient care services, James Pettinato, R.N., said hospital staff knew of concerns related to the information before the report was released and made changes to improve, including additional screenings and intervention steps.
"We've done a lot of work for 2012," Mr. Pettinato said. "Our current statistics show improvement in that area."
With 217 total cases, Geisinger Health System had higher mortality rates for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Hospital spokesman Matt Van Stone said the hospital had two cases more than the expected range of mortalities, most of whom were chronically ill.
"As always, we will take the information from the PHC4 reports along with that from patient feedback and accreditation surveys and work diligently to enhance the care provided throughout Geisinger Health System," Mr. Van Stone said.
The report also collected data related to the following areas: abnormal heartbeat, chest pain, colorectal procedures, congestive heart failure, medical management of diabetes, gallbladder removal - laparoscopic, gallbladder removal - open, hypotension and fainting, and pneumonia - infectious.
Most hospitals had rates of mortality and readmission close to what was expected.
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