25% of Medicare recipients harmed during hospital stays, HHS says

Becker's Healthcare May 12, 2022
Andrew Cass

Twenty-five percent of Medicare enrollees experienced harm during hospital stays in October 2018, according to a May 12 report from the HHS Office of the Inspector General.

For its study, the office reviewed medical records for a random sample of 770 Medicare patients who were discharged from acute care hospitals during October 2018.

Six things to know:

1. Twelve percent of patients experienced adverse effects that led to longer hospital stays, permanent harm, lifesaving intervention or death, according to the report.

2. Thirteen percent of patients experienced temporary harm, which required intervention but did not cause lasting harm, prolong hospital stays, or...

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