CDC grossly underestimating superbug death toll, researchers find

Using a method different from the CDC's to estimate the burden of antibiotic-resistant infections, Seattle researchers found a significantly higher number of deaths from multidrug-resistant infections, according to CIDRAP News.

Their method, described in a letter published in November in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, analyzed the nearly 2.5 million inpatient and outpatient deaths that occurred in 2010.

To calculate the number of patients who were likely to have died from multidrug-resistant infections, the researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine used conservative estimates of deaths caused by sepsis and reported rates of multidrug resistance in U.S. hospitals, along with estimates of outpatient deaths caused by infections.

They found the low end of their estimate — at least 153,113 inpatient and outpatient deaths annually from multidrug-resistant infections — is almost seven times higher than the CDC's figure. For several years, the most frequently cited number put forward by the CDC has been 23,000 deaths a year. 

The researchers found their upper-end estimate of 162,044 deaths would make multidrug-resistant infections the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. Researcher Jason Burnham, MD, said he thinks even those numbers could be conservative.

Patient Bleeds To Death After Colonoscopy

Patient Bleeds To Death After Colonoscopy

Last week Hospital Watchdog conducted an in-depth interview with Ms. Dena Royal, a former paramedic, and respiratory therapist. Dena’s mother, Martha Wright, bled to death following a colonoscopy and a series of tragic nursing mistakes at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville (pop. 10,000) Missouri.

Dena’s vigilance and persistence as a whistleblower led to an investigation by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Based on interviews and a review of hospital records  CMS found events contributing to her mother’s death and issued various rulings in a Summary Statement of Deficiencies (posted below). Among the key problems, Martha had not been thoroughly assessed when changes in her condition occurred. In one instance, at 10:15 pm, (14 hours after the procedure), the RN failed to perform a thorough assessment that included vital signs and notifying the doctor. What also emerges from the CMS report is that after Martha’s  death the hospital tried to cover up what happened.

JAMA-Prevalence, Underlying Causes, and Preventability of Sepsis-Associated Mortality in US Acute Care Hospitals

Prevalence, Underlying Causes, and Preventability of Sepsis-Associated Mortality in US Acute Care Hospitals

Question  What is the prevalence of sepsis-associated mortality in US acute care hospitals and how preventable are these deaths?

Findings  In this cohort study reviewing the medical records of 568 patients who were admitted to 6 hospitals and died in the hospital or were discharged to hospice and not readmitted, sepsis was present in 300 hospitalizations (52.8%) and directly caused death in 198 cases (34.9%). However, most underlying causes of death were related to severe chronic comorbidities and only 3.7% of sepsis-associated deaths were judged definitely or moderately preventable.

Here's Why Roughly Half of All Hospital Deaths Could Be Related to Sepsis

Sepsis is the leading cause of death to hospitalized patients, but to bring down the sepsis-related mortality rate, prevention and care of other major contributing factors would need to change significantly, according to new research published Friday in JAMA Open Network.

Sepsis is a life-threatening infection individuals can develop during hospitalizations, affecting roughly 1.7 million adults in the U.S. annually. Among those infected, sepsis may potentially contribute to more than a quarter of a million deaths. But it’s not truly known how pervasive sepsis is, which is why researchers undertook a study to assess the prevalence, common underlying causes, and preventability of sepsis.

‘Literally rotted to death’: Ex-nursing home workers face neglect charges in 2 deaths

COLUMBUS, OH (WBNS/CNN) - Seven former nursing home nurses face charges in the death of two patients in 2017.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said the charges stem from patient neglect and inadequate care at Whetstone Gardens and Care Center he called “gut-wrenching."

They were indicted by a grand jury and face 34 charges overall, including manslaughter and gross patient neglect.

It was so bad, one man literally rotted to death.

Medicare would provide national coverage for CAR-T cancer therapies under new proposal

Medicare would provide national coverage for CAR-T cancer therapies under new proposal

WASHINGTON — Under a new proposal, the Medicare program would pay for expensive new cancer therapies known as CAR-T for patients across the country.

Advocates for physician assisted suicide dismiss opposition from Catholic Church

ALBANY — With New York having strengthened and expanded abortion rights and set to pass the Child Victims Act over Church objections, the state Catholic Conference headed by Timothy Cardinal Dolan is now prioritizing blocking a bill to legalize physician assisted suicide.