Physician-owned Hospitals Spark Controversy
Specialty hospitals in Texas and throughout the country are getting the interest of key members in Congress. Last month, a 44-year-old truck driver underwent spinal disk fusion surgery at a physician-owned hospital in Abilene. The staff placed a 911 call after the patient went into respiratory arrest due to post-surgery complications. Lawmakers who evaluated the case claimed that if a facility is classified as a hospital then it should have staff equipped to handle emergencies. Physician owners defend their specialty hospitals by stating that they are catering more to patients’ and doctors’ needs. Congress members think differently and fear that decision-making may instead be driven by financial interests. The full-text article can be accessed from the Houston Chronicle.
February 13, 2007 Related topics: Legal & legislative, Ethics & Scandals, Quality, Safety, Errors