The Ongoing Problem Of Hospital Negligence Part 6: South Florida Hospitals
Many people associate medical malpractice with individual practitioners, but it is important to realize that liability extends up the ladder. A hospital or entire health care system could be negligent in providing care, and patients pay the price of their misconduct. Fortunately, there are resources for weeding out organizations that do not meet the appropriate standards of professionalism. The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grades system works according to the familiar scoring scale you remember from school: From A to F, a facility’s score demonstrates that it exceeds, meets, or falls below certain standards.
It is reassuring to know that the majority of hospitals in the state earned A and B in the most recent assessment, but you should be aware of low marks by a few South Florida facilities. This fifth and final edition of our series on the ongoing problem of hospital negligence in Florida is a helpful wrap up as we review key patient safety issues.
One South Florida medical center’s C rating was due in part to the high number of dangerous bed sores patients suffer from remaining in the same prone or sitting position too long. These wounds are a type of pressure ulcer, and they can penetrate deeply into the muscle or bone if not addressed. For the patient, this could mean a longer period of hospitalization; worst case scenario cases may involve amputation or even death. At this hospital, for every 1000 people discharged instances of dangerous bedsore occurred at a rate of .79, where as the average hospital’s score was .58 for every 1000 patients.
This particular medical center also performed below average in preventing dangerous blood clots after surgery. The rate at which dangerous blood clots occurred at this hospital was 4.78 for every 1000 patients that had surgery. In comparison, the best hospital scored 1.53/1000 and the average score was 3.74/1000 patients who underwent a surgical procedure.
A while back, Freidin Brown, P.A. attorneys won a million-dollar medical malpractice jury verdict for the parents of an 18-year-old girl who, after being hit by a drunk driver and severely fracturing her leg, died from a blood clot. We proved that the clot should have been prevented by her doctors.
Another C rated South Florida hospital includes an investor-owned facility in Atlantis, FL with over 500 beds. This hospital was below average in the area of MRSA infection, as well as C. diff infections.
Unlike some staph bacteria that respond to antibiotics, hospital staff must take precautions and implement special handling requirements regarding MRSA. This form of bacteria may remain in linens and equipment unless properly cleansed, and it can also spread if staff do not follow hand washing protocol.
When a hospital performs below average in preventing infections, it is likely that its patients are at a higher risk of sepsis and septic shock conditions that result from these types of serious infections. Even after a patient recovers, post-septic syndrome may lead to:
- Nightmares
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Panic attacks and mood swings
- Hallucinations
- Cognitive disorders
- Depression
Talk to Our Florida Hospital Negligence Attorneys About Your Options
If you suffered harm because of hospital negligence, you may have legal remedies under state medical malpractice laws, Our Florida hospital negligence attorneys at Freidin Brown, P.A. can explain how these cases work and compensation you may be entitled to receive, so please contact our offices today. We can schedule a no-cost consultation to evaluate your circumstances and advise you on your rights.
For Reference Purposes, here is a list of some South Florida hospitals:
Aventura Hospital and Medical Center
20900 Biscayne Blvd. | Aventura, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 467 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Baptist Hospital of Miami
8900 N. Kendall Dr. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 886 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Bethesda Hospital East
2815 S. Seacrest Blvd. | Boynton Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 401 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Bethesda Hospital West
9655 W. Boynton Beach Blvd. | Boynton Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 80 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Boca Raton Regional Hospital
800 Meadows Rd. | Boca Raton, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 400 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Cleveland Clinic Florida – Weston
3100 Weston Rd. | Weston, FL | Broward County
Beds: 206 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
1000 36th St. | Vero Beach, FL | Indian River County
Beds: 286 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital
200 S.E. Hospital Ave. | Stuart, FL | Martin County
Beds: 244 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital
2100 S.E. Salerno Rd. | Stuart, FL | Martin County
Beds: 100 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital
10000 S.W. Innovation Way | Port St. Lucie, FL | St. Lucie County
Beds: 177 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Coral Gables Hospital
3100 Douglas Rd. | Coral Gables, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 245 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Delray Medical Center
5352 Linton Blvd. | Delray Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 380 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
DePoo Hospital
1200 Kennedy Dr. | Key West, FL | Monroe County
Beds: 49 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Doctors Hospital
5000 University Dr. | Coral Gables, FL | Miami-Dade County
Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Encompass Health Rehab Hospital of Martin Health
5850 S.E. Community Dr. | Stuart, FL | Martin County
Beds: 80 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Encompass Health Rehab Hospital of Treasure Coast
1600 37th St. | Vero Beach, FL | Indian River County
Beds: 80 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Miami
20601 Old Cutler Rd. | Cutler Bay, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sunrise
4399 Nob Hill Rd. | Sunrise, FL | Broward County
Beds: 126 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Florida Medical Center – A Campus of North Shore
5000 W. Oakland Park Blvd. | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Broward County
House District: 095
Beds: 459 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Good Samaritan Medical Center
1309 N. Flagler Dr. | West Palm Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 333 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Hialeah Hospital
651 E. 25th St. | Hialeah, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 366 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Holy Cross Hospital
4725 N. Federal Hwy. | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Broward County
Beds: 557 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Homestead Hospital
975 Baptist Way | Homestead, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 147 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
JFK Medical Center
5301 S. Congress Ave. | Atlantis, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 527 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
JFK Medical Center North Campus
2201 45th St. | West Palm Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 280 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Jupiter Medical Center
1210 S. Old Dixie Hwy. | Jupiter, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 242 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Kendall Regional Medical Center
11750 S.W. 40 St. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 447 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Keralty Hospital
2500 S.W. 75th Ave. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 125 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System:
Kindred Hospital South Florida-Coral Gables
5190 S.W. 8th St. | Coral Gables, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 55 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Hospital South Florida-Ft. Lauderdale
1516 E. Las Olas Blvd. | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Broward County
Beds: 64 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Hospital South Florida-Hollywood
1859 Van Buren St. | Hollywood, FL | Broward County
Beds: 119 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Hospital The Palm Beaches
5555 W. Blue Heron Blvd. | Riviera Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 70 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs Campus
1475 W. 49th St. | Hialeah, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 247 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Larkin Community Hospital South Miami Campus
7031 S.W. 62nd Ave. | South Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 146 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute
1700 S. 23rd St. | Ft. Pierce, FL | St. Lucie County
Beds: 398 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Lower Keys Medical Center
5900 College Rd. | Key West, FL | Monroe County
Beds: 118 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Mariners Hospital
91500 Overseas Hwy. | Tavernier, FL | Monroe County
Beds: 25 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Mercy Hospital
3663 S. Miami Ave. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 488 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Mount Sinai Medical Center
4300 Alton Rd. | Miami Beach, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 664 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
3100 S.W. 62nd Ave. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 309 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
North Shore Medical Center
1100 N.W. 95th St. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 337 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Northwest Medical Center
2801 N. State Road 7 | Margate, FL | Broward County
Beds: 289 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
3360 Burns Rd. | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 199 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Palmetto General Hospital
2001 W. 68th St. | Hialeah, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 368 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Palms West Hospital
13001 Southern Blvd. | Loxahatchee, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 204 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Pinecrest Rehab. Hospital at Delray
5360 Linton Blvd | Delray Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 90 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation/Dept. | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Plantation General Hospital
401 N.W. 42nd Ave. | Plantation, FL | Broward County
Beds: 240 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Raulerson Hospital
1796 Hwy. 441, N. | Okeechobee, FL | Okeechobee County
Beds: 100 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Sebastian River Medical Center
13695 US Hwy. 1 | Sebastian, FL | Indian River County
Beds: 178 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Steward Health Care
Select Specialty Hospital-Miami
955 N.W. 3rd St. Victoria Center | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 47 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
Select Specialty Hospital-Miami Lakes
14001 N.W. 82nd Ave. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
Select Specialty Hospital-Palm Beach
3060 Melaleuca Ln. | Lake Worth, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
South Miami Hospital
6200 S.W. 73rd St. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 436 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
St. Anthony’s Rehabilitation Hospital
3487 N.W. 30th St. | Lauderdale Lakes, FL | Broward County
Beds: 26 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Catholic Health Services
St. Catherine’s Rehabilitation Hospital
1050 N.E. 125th St. | North Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 22 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Catholic Health Services
St. Catherine’s West Rehabilitation Hospital
8850 N.W. 122nd St. | Hialeah Gardens, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 40 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Catholic Health Services
St. Lucie Medical Center
1800 S.E. Tiffany Ave. | Port St. Lucie, FL | St. Lucie County
Beds: 207 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
St. Mary’s Medical Center
901 45th St. | West Palm Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 460 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
UMHC-UHealth Tower
1400 N.W. 12th Ave. Suite 2023 | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 560 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: University of Miami Health System
University Hospital & Medical Center
7201 N. University Dr. | Tamarac, FL | Broward County
Beds: 257 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
University Pavilion Hospital
7425 N. University Dr. | Tamarac, FL | Broward County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Psychiatric/Dept. | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Wellington Regional Medical Center
10101 Forest Hill Blvd. | Wellington, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 235 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Universal Health Services, Inc.
West Boca Medical Center
21644 State Road 7 | Boca Raton, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 195 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
