A guide published from the American Hospital Association's Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) in Chicago, along with support from the Commonwealth Fund, found it is difficult to pinpoint a specific element tying together high-performing multi-hospital systems.
The researchers studied publicly available data, interviewed 45 leaders of multi-hospital health systems and focused on 17 specific best practices for this report.
The report identified three major findings:
1. No one system type was most associated with high performance, which means academic and non-academic, large or small, regional or multi-regional had an advantage over the others.
2. No one factor was clearly associated with performance. Essentially researchers found consistent high performance resulted in high quality care and no single change would create the same results.
3. Creating a culture of performance excellence, accountability for results and leadership execution are the keys for success. The report found a lot of these factors boiled down to the quality of leadership and the culture they created in the hospitals.
To read the report in it's entirety, click here.
If you or a loved one has been injured, we may be able to help. Contact us for a free consultation.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Two Rescued After Car Plunges Into Pond
Two people were rescued Monday evening after driving into a retention pond in Westmont.
According to reports, the accident occurred near 63rd Street and Richmond just after 9:30 p.m. Monday. A firefighter and police officer are credited with rescuing a husband and wife from the submerged vehicle about 15 feet from shore. Both victims were alive and were taken to a local hospital.
The 67-year-old husband was in fair condition Tuesday but his 70-year-old wife remained in critical condition. Officials said she was not breathing when she was rescued initially and was believed to be have been underwater for 10 minutes.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious car accident, Dwyer & McDevitt, LTD may be able to assist you. For a free consultation, contact us today.
According to reports, the accident occurred near 63rd Street and Richmond just after 9:30 p.m. Monday. A firefighter and police officer are credited with rescuing a husband and wife from the submerged vehicle about 15 feet from shore. Both victims were alive and were taken to a local hospital.
The 67-year-old husband was in fair condition Tuesday but his 70-year-old wife remained in critical condition. Officials said she was not breathing when she was rescued initially and was believed to be have been underwater for 10 minutes.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious car accident, Dwyer & McDevitt, LTD may be able to assist you. For a free consultation, contact us today.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Spring Break Trip Turns Deadly When Bicyclists Struck By Van
One teen was killed and two of her friends were seriously injured when they were struck by an elderly driver as they made their way by bike on a spring break trip.
According to police, an 86-year-old man driving a minivan crossed the center line and struck the three girls near the Shawnee National Forest.
Seventeen-year-old Faith Dremmer was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Kaia Tammen and Julia Baird, both 18, suffered serious injuries. Tammen suffered two broken arms, a broken jaw and some facial injuries and Baird suffered a broken collarbone and ribs. All teens were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.
The three attended the University of Chicago's lab school and had been friends for many years, according to reports. They had planned a spring break bike trip from Cape Girardeau, Mo. through parts of Illinois and Indiana as a way to celebrate their last year of high school. Baird's father was following them on their journey via car with supplies and helping them as they made their stops.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious accident, Dwyer & McDevitt may be able to help you. Contact our offices for a free consultation.
According to police, an 86-year-old man driving a minivan crossed the center line and struck the three girls near the Shawnee National Forest.
Seventeen-year-old Faith Dremmer was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Kaia Tammen and Julia Baird, both 18, suffered serious injuries. Tammen suffered two broken arms, a broken jaw and some facial injuries and Baird suffered a broken collarbone and ribs. All teens were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.
The three attended the University of Chicago's lab school and had been friends for many years, according to reports. They had planned a spring break bike trip from Cape Girardeau, Mo. through parts of Illinois and Indiana as a way to celebrate their last year of high school. Baird's father was following them on their journey via car with supplies and helping them as they made their stops.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious accident, Dwyer & McDevitt may be able to help you. Contact our offices for a free consultation.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Study: Medical Malpractice Reform Would Do Little To Reduce Health Care Costs
Throughout the health care debate, many have brought up the idea that medical malpractice lawsuits are a driving factor in the rising costs of health care. However, conclusions in a recent study show making changes to affect medical malpractice lawsuits would actually do little to change the overall cost of health care.
Proponents of reform such as setting caps on lawsuits argue medical malpractice suits and fear of being sued cause medical professionals to practice defensive medicine, including ordering tests and procedures not considered necessary, in order to make sure they cover their bases.
Overturning or eliminating caps, much like the law that was overturned in February 2010 by the Illinois Supreme Court, is actually shown to do little to reduce the cost of health care, according to a 2009 study by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.
The study showed that the direct cost of malpractice insurance premiums and court decisions, in addition to the costs of defensive medical, actually account for less than two percent of overall health care spending.
That means even a 25 percent or 30 percent reduction in malpractice costs would lower health costs by 0.4 percent to 0.5 percent and the effect on insurance premiums would be equally as small, according to the study.
The group came to a similar conclusion in a study conducted during the Bush Administration.
An investigation by Consumer Reports showed reducing several of the most deadly infections, many of which are preventable, would do more to affect the overall cost of health care than tort reform.
Consumer Reports - Hospital Infections
Congressional Budget Office study
If you or someone you loved has suffered a personal injury, we may be able to help you. Contact us for a free consultation.
Proponents of reform such as setting caps on lawsuits argue medical malpractice suits and fear of being sued cause medical professionals to practice defensive medicine, including ordering tests and procedures not considered necessary, in order to make sure they cover their bases.
Overturning or eliminating caps, much like the law that was overturned in February 2010 by the Illinois Supreme Court, is actually shown to do little to reduce the cost of health care, according to a 2009 study by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.
The study showed that the direct cost of malpractice insurance premiums and court decisions, in addition to the costs of defensive medical, actually account for less than two percent of overall health care spending.
That means even a 25 percent or 30 percent reduction in malpractice costs would lower health costs by 0.4 percent to 0.5 percent and the effect on insurance premiums would be equally as small, according to the study.
The group came to a similar conclusion in a study conducted during the Bush Administration.
An investigation by Consumer Reports showed reducing several of the most deadly infections, many of which are preventable, would do more to affect the overall cost of health care than tort reform.
Consumer Reports - Hospital Infections
Congressional Budget Office study
If you or someone you loved has suffered a personal injury, we may be able to help you. Contact us for a free consultation.
Metra To Install High-Tech System To Prevent Collisions
Metra has announced plans to install a high-tech system costing approximately $100 million in order to prevent accidents such as the one that occurred in Rock Island in 2005.
The system is designed to prevent an engineer from speeding through warning signals by alerting them to slow down as well as to prevent approaching trains from colliding.
In the Rock Island crash, two people were killed and 117 injured after an engineer's error, an investigation by the National Transportation and Safety Board concluded.
The NTSB said such a system would also have prevented the deadly 2008 Los Angeles train accident where 25 people died when two commuter trains collided. The investigation concluded the accident occurred when the engineer ran a red light because he was text messaging.
After the Los Angeles crash, Congress passed a bill requiring large railways to install a positive train control or PTC by 2015. The systems employ various technologies that would help warn engineers and help keep similar crashes from occurring.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, we may be able to assist you. Contact us for a free consultation.
The system is designed to prevent an engineer from speeding through warning signals by alerting them to slow down as well as to prevent approaching trains from colliding.
In the Rock Island crash, two people were killed and 117 injured after an engineer's error, an investigation by the National Transportation and Safety Board concluded.
The NTSB said such a system would also have prevented the deadly 2008 Los Angeles train accident where 25 people died when two commuter trains collided. The investigation concluded the accident occurred when the engineer ran a red light because he was text messaging.
After the Los Angeles crash, Congress passed a bill requiring large railways to install a positive train control or PTC by 2015. The systems employ various technologies that would help warn engineers and help keep similar crashes from occurring.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, we may be able to assist you. Contact us for a free consultation.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
DuPage Co. Subway Linked To 78 Illnesses In Shigella Outbreak
Seventy- eight people have been sickened by the Shigella outbreak traced to a Subway in DuPage County, according to the DuPage County Health Department.
The shop, in Lombard on Roosevelt Road, was closed after an initial investigation linked multiple customers with gastrointestinal illnesses to it during the first week of March. Health officials said the customers ate at the shop between February 24 and March 1.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the bacteria can spread from contact with contaminated human waste or by eating contaminated food. Most who are infected develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps beginning a day or two after exposure. Symptoms usually end about a week later.
Although the infection rarely requires hospitalization, 11 of the people infected have been hospitalized during this outbreak. Ten of those people have been released.
Each year about 14,000 cases of Shigella infections, called shigellosis, are reported although health officials believe most cases go unreported and actual numbers may be twenty times greater.
If you or someone you loved has suffered a personal injury, we may be able to help you. Contact us for a free consultation.
The shop, in Lombard on Roosevelt Road, was closed after an initial investigation linked multiple customers with gastrointestinal illnesses to it during the first week of March. Health officials said the customers ate at the shop between February 24 and March 1.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the bacteria can spread from contact with contaminated human waste or by eating contaminated food. Most who are infected develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps beginning a day or two after exposure. Symptoms usually end about a week later.
Although the infection rarely requires hospitalization, 11 of the people infected have been hospitalized during this outbreak. Ten of those people have been released.
Each year about 14,000 cases of Shigella infections, called shigellosis, are reported although health officials believe most cases go unreported and actual numbers may be twenty times greater.
If you or someone you loved has suffered a personal injury, we may be able to help you. Contact us for a free consultation.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Evanston Handheld Cell Phone Ban Begins
A handheld cell phone ban goes into effect Monday in Evanston.
Evanston Police will issue verbal warnings from March 15 until March 22 in an effort to educate local drivers about the new ban. Warnings will not be issued to drivers involved in reckless or negligent driving resulting in an accident during that period.
The Evanston City Council passed the new ordinance February 10, 2010, banning the use of all handheld cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.
The ban outlaws texting while driving as well as sending emails, browsing the Internet or listening to voicemail. Drivers may talk on their phones as long as they use a hands-free device.
The ban follows many local bans including Chicago's ban in May 2005, which outlawed all handheld cell phone use.
Fines will start at $50 and may increase to $200 if an accident occurs while the driver is using the cell phone.
To view a copy of the City of Evanston's press release, click here.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious accident, our Chicago personal injury lawyers may be able to assist. Contact us for a free consultation.
Evanston Police will issue verbal warnings from March 15 until March 22 in an effort to educate local drivers about the new ban. Warnings will not be issued to drivers involved in reckless or negligent driving resulting in an accident during that period.
The Evanston City Council passed the new ordinance February 10, 2010, banning the use of all handheld cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.
The ban outlaws texting while driving as well as sending emails, browsing the Internet or listening to voicemail. Drivers may talk on their phones as long as they use a hands-free device.
The ban follows many local bans including Chicago's ban in May 2005, which outlawed all handheld cell phone use.
Fines will start at $50 and may increase to $200 if an accident occurs while the driver is using the cell phone.
To view a copy of the City of Evanston's press release, click here.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious accident, our Chicago personal injury lawyers may be able to assist. Contact us for a free consultation.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Elgin Oks Modified Animal Control Ordinance
The City of Elgin passed a modified new animal control ordinance last week that did not declare pit bulls dangerous dogs, as it had originally included.
The ordinance allows an animal control officer to declare an animal dangerous or vicious if the animal is involved in an attack.
The ordinance declared "dangerous dogs" and "vicious dogs" must be muzzled and kept on a six-foot non-retractable leash when walked. Owners would be required to obtain a $100 three-year license for the animals and would need to secure a $100,000 liability policy for dangerous dogs and a $500,000 liability policy for vicious dogs.
The dog must be walked by someone 18 years or older and the must be microchipped. The dog must be confined to the inside of a house or may be outside only if there is an enclosed six-foot locked fence. The dog must also be spayed or neutered.
The council had originally proposed to declare all pit bulls dangerous dogs, automatically subjecting them to the new restrictions and fees. The ordinance had been proposed, in part, as a response after reports of unleashed pit bulls in neighborhoods and after a small dog was attacked and killed last year.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an animal attack, we may be able to help. Contact us for a free consultation.
The ordinance allows an animal control officer to declare an animal dangerous or vicious if the animal is involved in an attack.
The ordinance declared "dangerous dogs" and "vicious dogs" must be muzzled and kept on a six-foot non-retractable leash when walked. Owners would be required to obtain a $100 three-year license for the animals and would need to secure a $100,000 liability policy for dangerous dogs and a $500,000 liability policy for vicious dogs.
The dog must be walked by someone 18 years or older and the must be microchipped. The dog must be confined to the inside of a house or may be outside only if there is an enclosed six-foot locked fence. The dog must also be spayed or neutered.
The council had originally proposed to declare all pit bulls dangerous dogs, automatically subjecting them to the new restrictions and fees. The ordinance had been proposed, in part, as a response after reports of unleashed pit bulls in neighborhoods and after a small dog was attacked and killed last year.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an animal attack, we may be able to help. Contact us for a free consultation.
Woman, Baby Killed At Metra Train Crossing
A woman and a 1-year-old baby she was carrying were killed Saturday morning when they reportedly crossed in front of an incoming train at a North Chicago Metra station.
The woman was the girl's godmother, according to police. She had been carrying the toddler and was crossing from a parking lot over to the station.
Witnesses reported the warning lights and whistles were sounding when the pair were struck about 8:50 a.m. The train had not been scheduled to stop at the North Chicago station.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the baby was pronounced dead a few hours later at a nearby hospital.
If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries in an accident, Dwyer & McDevitt may be able to assist you. Contact Dwyer & McDevitt for a free consultation.
The woman was the girl's godmother, according to police. She had been carrying the toddler and was crossing from a parking lot over to the station.
Witnesses reported the warning lights and whistles were sounding when the pair were struck about 8:50 a.m. The train had not been scheduled to stop at the North Chicago station.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the baby was pronounced dead a few hours later at a nearby hospital.
If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries in an accident, Dwyer & McDevitt may be able to assist you. Contact Dwyer & McDevitt for a free consultation.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Elgin City Council To Vote On Pit Bull Ban
The Elgin City Council is set to vote Wednesday on new laws that would set several new limits for pit bull owners.
The new ordinance would define pit bulls as dangerous dogs and would require additional steps be taken to protect neighborhoods from them. Dangerous dogs are required to be registered and licensed with the City of Elgin.
If the ordinance passes, the dogs must be muzzled and kept on a six-foot non-retractable leash when walked. They must be walked by someone 18 years or older and the must also have a microchip implanted in them. The dog must be confined to the inside of a house or may be outside only if there is a six-foot anchored closed fence throughout the yard. The fence must include secure locks, signs warning of the dog and the animal must not be able to dig underneath it. Additionally, the dog must also be spayed or neutered
“An extensive review of the State Animal Control Act and dog regulations throughout the country also demonstrated that the City’s current ordinance could be improved with respect to the care and keeping of animals,” said Elgin’s Corporate Council William A. Cogley.
The three-year license would cost $100 for a pit bull if the ordinance passes. Owners must also obtain a $500,000 insurance policy to cover themselves if their dog should attack someone.
Laws would go into effect June 1, 2010 and all dogs must be licensed by July 1, 2010.
According to the City of Elgin, more than 500 cities in 38 states have enacted special laws specifically for pit bulls.
Read a copy of the proposed ordinance here.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an animal attack, we may be able to help. Contact us for a free consultation.
The new ordinance would define pit bulls as dangerous dogs and would require additional steps be taken to protect neighborhoods from them. Dangerous dogs are required to be registered and licensed with the City of Elgin.
If the ordinance passes, the dogs must be muzzled and kept on a six-foot non-retractable leash when walked. They must be walked by someone 18 years or older and the must also have a microchip implanted in them. The dog must be confined to the inside of a house or may be outside only if there is a six-foot anchored closed fence throughout the yard. The fence must include secure locks, signs warning of the dog and the animal must not be able to dig underneath it. Additionally, the dog must also be spayed or neutered
“An extensive review of the State Animal Control Act and dog regulations throughout the country also demonstrated that the City’s current ordinance could be improved with respect to the care and keeping of animals,” said Elgin’s Corporate Council William A. Cogley.
The three-year license would cost $100 for a pit bull if the ordinance passes. Owners must also obtain a $500,000 insurance policy to cover themselves if their dog should attack someone.
Laws would go into effect June 1, 2010 and all dogs must be licensed by July 1, 2010.
According to the City of Elgin, more than 500 cities in 38 states have enacted special laws specifically for pit bulls.
Read a copy of the proposed ordinance here.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an animal attack, we may be able to help. Contact us for a free consultation.
Monday, March 8, 2010
11 Injured In South Side Accident
Eleven people were injured Sunday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash -- including seven children.
One adult was hospitalized in critical conditions, according to officials. The remaining victims were taken to the hospital in good to fair conditions.
The crash happened at the intersections of 68th Street and Racine Avenue about 2:40 p.m. Two vans were carrying the 11 victims.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, our firm may be able to help you. Contact us for a free consultation.
One adult was hospitalized in critical conditions, according to officials. The remaining victims were taken to the hospital in good to fair conditions.
The crash happened at the intersections of 68th Street and Racine Avenue about 2:40 p.m. Two vans were carrying the 11 victims.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, our firm may be able to help you. Contact us for a free consultation.
13 Injured In Crash Between CTA Bus, Big Rig
Thirteen people were injured Sunday afternoon, one critically, in a crash on the West side of Chicago between a CTA bus and a semitrailer.
The crash happened just before 5 p.m. at Loomis Street and Cermak Road, according to reports.
Three people were taken to area hospitals, including a critically injured woman and two people who were less seriously injured.
According to officials, 12 of the injured were on the bus and the 13th injured person was the truck driver, who refused treatment at the scene.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident, we may be able to help. Contact us for a free consultation.
The crash happened just before 5 p.m. at Loomis Street and Cermak Road, according to reports.
Three people were taken to area hospitals, including a critically injured woman and two people who were less seriously injured.
According to officials, 12 of the injured were on the bus and the 13th injured person was the truck driver, who refused treatment at the scene.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident, we may be able to help. Contact us for a free consultation.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Truck Driver Crashes on Highway After Heart Attack
A truck driver crashed and died early Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack on Highway 80 in Indiana.
Police were called to the crash just before 2 a.m. where they found Lawrence Reed of Ohio in his truck, which had crashed into a utility pole.
According to witnesses, he was driving eastbound on the highway where he was seen swerving and weaving in and out of cars before exiting the road and hitting the pole.
Doctors said he died of cardiac arrest.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call our law offices for a free case evaluation.
Police were called to the crash just before 2 a.m. where they found Lawrence Reed of Ohio in his truck, which had crashed into a utility pole.
According to witnesses, he was driving eastbound on the highway where he was seen swerving and weaving in and out of cars before exiting the road and hitting the pole.
Doctors said he died of cardiac arrest.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call our law offices for a free case evaluation.
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