State Officials, Health System React to Report on Infections
State Department of Public Health officials plan to investigate reports of high rates of septicemia infections, or blood poisoning, at Prime Healthcare hospitals. Investigators say they will examine patient records and hospital efforts to control infections. Prime Healthcare officials say the analysis on the number of hospital infections -- which was compiled by the Services Employees International Union -- relies on patients' conditions when they arrive at an emergency department and not on conditions patients might acquire at a hospital.
- "State Health Officials Launch Probe Into Hospitals With High Infection Rates" (Jewett/Williams, "California Watch Blog," 10/13).
- "Hospital Chain Calls Union Study a Negotiation Tactic" (Steinberg, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 10/12).