Britcher, Leone & Sergio, LLCFindLaw IM Template2024-03-19T04:16:20Zhttps://www.medmalnj.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1201878/2020/06/cropped-britcherleone-siteicon-32x32.pngby drewhttps://www.medmalnj.com/?p=562682024-02-29T23:51:34Z2024-02-29T23:51:34ZGet Vaccinated, but on Different Days:
In the fight against infections, vaccination is a powerful tool. However, current public pressure to streamline vaccination efforts by administering COVID and flu vaccines simultaneously poses risk. Although the CDC recommends the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit, efficiency may come with a price.
SIRVA and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), Under-Appreciated Concerns:
SIRVA is one of the main injuries seen in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). It is a shoulder injury caused by the injection of a vaccine into the shoulder capsule rather than the deltoid muscle, often resulting in severe pain and a decreased range of motion. Symptoms typically begin within 48 hours of vaccine administration and do not subside with over-the-counter analgesics. The injury is preventable if the administrator adopts proper landmarks and administration techniques.
GBS is a disorder where the body’s immune system damages nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. GBS can develop days or weeks following an infection or following a flu vaccination. The CDC reported that recent studies have suggested an increased risk of GBS among adults 18 years and older after receiving the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination.
Why Get Vaccinated on Different Dates:
SIRVA and GBS following flu vaccination are injuries recognized by the VICP and appear on the Vaccine Injury Table. If symptoms manifest within a specific time period following the administration of a vaccine on the Table, an injured person will be eligible for compensation in VICP. The VICP is advantageous because it is a no-fault compensation program designed to provide a prompt and non-adversarial alternative to traditional civil tort litigation. Recovery includes pain and suffering and lost wages. Attorneys’ fees are paid by the Program.
In contrast, if you suffer the same injury following a Covid-19 vaccination, you are not eligible for compensation in VICP but must file in the Countermeasure Injury Compensation Program (CICP). The CICP does not allow for recovery for pain and suffering or future lost earnings and does not pay attorneys’ fees. As of January 1, 2024, only 11 of 12,854 Covid-19 claims filed were compensated.
Get Vaccinated on Different Dates and Different Arms:
If you develop GBS after receiving the Covid 19 and flu vaccines on the same day, you will be challenged to prove which vaccine caused GBS. If you cannot get vaccinated on different dates, insist on receiving the Covid-19 vaccine in one arm and the flu vaccine in the other arm. If you suffer a shoulder injury, you can file a claim in the no fault VICP. Vaccinations in the same arm will make it difficult, if not impossible, to prove which vaccine caused the injury, and resulting in no recovery.
Conclusion:
As vaccination efforts for COVID-19 and influenza continue, prioritizing safety is crucial. Take steps to minimize risk and to preserve the ability to recover if injured. By planning vaccinations on separate days or, when necessary, in separate arms, individuals can contribute to successful vaccination efforts while safeguarding their well-being. Contact us today if you've been affected by a vaccine injury!]]>by drewhttps://www.medmalnj.com/?p=562672024-02-29T23:55:20Z2024-02-29T23:42:39ZSeeking Compensation under CICP:
While the Covid-19 vaccine is not part of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), individuals can still seek compensation through the CICP. The process involves filing a timely claim using the Request for Benefits form, which is available on the HRSA website. It's crucial to act promptly, as the statute of limitations for filing a claim is one year after receiving the vaccine. Even if you do not possess the medical records to support the claim, file the Request for Benefits within one year and supplement with medical records later. Access the form here.
Understanding Covered Injuries:
Determining whether an injury is directly linked to the Covid-19 vaccine and falls under the category of a covered injury rests with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This decision relies on compelling and reliable medical and scientific evidence. Unlike the VICP, causation is not presumed if criteria are met as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table, which is a major benefit of having a claim filed in VICP. https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/vicp/vaccine-injury-table-01-03-2022.pdf
Limited Recovery Options:
Compensation under the CICP is limited. Recoverable benefits are confined to out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost employment income, and death benefits for eligible survivors. Unlike the VICP, individuals cannot claim compensation for pain and suffering, attorney fees, or expert witness reimbursement.
Legislative Initiatives for Future Changes:
In August 2023, U.S. Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) introduced the Vaccine Injury Compensation Modernization Act. This proposed legislation aims to transfer pending Covid-19 vaccine claims from the CICP to the VICP. Additionally, the Vaccine Access Improvement Act is under consideration to streamline the process of applying the 75-cent excise tax on covered vaccine doses each time a new vaccine is added to the VICP, expediting the compensation process.
Current Recovery Statistics:
As of January 1, 2024, a total of 12,854 Covid-19 claims were filed under the CICP. Only 40 claims were found eligible for compensation, with 11 of those claims receiving compensation. For a more detailed review of claim statistics, visit here.
In conclusion, while recourse may exist through the CICP for those individuals who experience injuries from the Covid-19 vaccine, the current compensation landscape is limited. Legislative changes are necessary to improve the accessibility and fairness of compensation for those affected. Stay informed and act promptly by complying with the applicable statute of limitations if you are injured and seek legal counsel from an attorney who is experienced in handling vaccine injury compensation claims. Contact us today for our expert legal guidance!]]>by drewhttps://www.medmalnj.com/?p=562662024-02-29T23:48:22Z2024-02-29T23:38:12ZVaccines covered by the VICP include:
Diphtheria and Tetanus vaccines (e.g., DTaP, DTP, DT, Td, or TT)
If injured by a covered vaccine, file the claim in the VICP before resorting to the traditional civil tort system.
The Mechanics of Filing a Claim:
To receive compensation in the VICP, file a Petition in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Unlike the 2-year statute of limitations for tort actions, claims in the VICP allow for 3 years to file after the first symptom or in the case of a vaccine related death, two years from the date of death. When filing the Petition, include facts to support the assertion that the covered vaccine caused the injury. Identify the vaccine, the date the first symptom appeared, explain the nature of the injury, and set forth the treatment received. Supporting Affidavits from the Petitioner or individuals that can attest to the onset and nature of the injury are beneficial.
The Benefits of Filing in VICP:
The VICP aims to be non-adversarial and streamlined. If the Table criteria are met, causation will likely be presumed, which often means that expert medical opinion will not be required to support the claim. Compensation allows petitioners to recover up to $250,000 for pain and suffering, past and future unreimbursed medical, custodial, and rehabilitative care, and past and future lost earnings. Petitioner’s do not have to pay attorneys’ fees in the VICP, unlike traditional tort cases. Although the process can seemingly move slow, resolutions are reached, often by way of negotiated settlements. According to the Department of Justice, almost 9,500 people have been paid over $4.5 billion since the Program began in 1988. https://www.justice.gov/civil/vicp
The same benefits of filing a claim in the VICP do not exist in the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), which presently provides the only recourse if injured by a Covid-19 vaccine.
Contact us today if you've been injured by a vaccine, as you may be entitled to compensation.]]>On Behalf of Britcher Leone, LLChttps://www.medmalnj.com/?p=562632024-02-21T19:34:31Z2024-02-15T14:48:55ZWhat information is required for “informed consent?”
A doctor must obtain the patient's informed consent before treating or operating on the patient. In order to do so:
The doctor has a duty to explain, in terms understandable to the patient, what the doctor intends to do before subjecting the patient to a course of treatment or an operation. The purpose of this legal requirement is to protect each person's right to self-determination in matters of medical treatment.
The doctor has a duty to explain, in words the patient can understand, all material medical information and risks. Medical information or a risk of a medical procedure is material when a reasonable patient in the plaintiff's position would be likely to attach significance to it in deciding whether or not to submit to the treatment. The doctor must tell the patient about the alternatives that the doctor recommends as well as all medically reasonable alternatives that the doctor does not recommend.
Accordingly, the doctor must discuss all medically reasonable courses of treatment, including non-treatment, and the probable risks and outcomes of each alternative.
By not discussing these alternatives, the doctor breaches the patient's right to make an informed choice and effectively makes the choice for the patient.
Further, a doctor is responsible for any injuries suffered by the patient, if the doctor did not adequately explain all medically reasonable courses of treatment, including non-treatment, in what the doctor knows or should know to be the patient's medical position or condition.
NOTE: The doctor is not required to disclose to the patient all the details of a proposed operation or treatment. Nor is the doctor required to disclose all the possible risks, no matter how small or remote, nor those dangers known to the average person or those dangers the patient has already discovered. More on this below.
Medical information and risk disclosure requirements
Taking into account what the doctor knows or should know to be the patient's need for information, the doctor must disclose the medical information and risks that a reasonably prudent patient would consider material or significant in making the decision about what course of treatment, if any, to accept.
Such information would generally include:
a description of the patient's physical condition, the purposes and advantages of the proposed surgery or treatment.
the material risks of the proposed treatment and the material risks if such surgery or treatment is not provided.
the available options or alternatives that are medically reasonable under the circumstances and the advantages and risks of each alternative.
Making the case for lack of informed consent
To prove a case of lack of informed consent, the patient must prove all the following elements:
(1) the defendant doctor failed to give the plaintiff all the information that a reasonable person in the plaintiff's position would expect a doctor to disclose so that the plaintiff might make an informed decision about the course of treatment
(2) the undisclosed risk (of the treatment/non-treatment) occurred
(3) a reasonable person under the circumstances of this case would not have consented to (or would have chosen to undergo) the treatment or operation had he/she been so informed
(4) the course of treatment or operation (or failure to operate or treat) was a proximate cause in producing plaintiff's injuries or conditions.
Although the patient's testimony may be considered on the question as to whether he/she would have consented, the issue to be resolved is not what this patient would have done—it is whether a reasonably prudent person would have consented (or chosen another course of treatment), if provided with material information which you find the doctor failed to provide in this case.
What constitutes failure to prove lack of informed consent?
If the defendant doctor gave all the information which a reasonable patient in the patient's position would expect to receive at the time the consent was given, or that the undisclosed risk did not occur, or that the information which was omitted or not disclosed would not have caused a reasonably prudent patient to refuse consent to the procedure or operation, or that the course of treatment or operation, or failure to operate or treat, was not a proximate cause in producing the plaintiff's injuries or conditions, then the patient has failed to prove a lack of informed consent.]]>On Behalf of Britcher Leone, LLChttps://www.medmalnj.com/?p=562622024-02-08T18:19:36Z2024-02-08T18:19:36ZHow do medical professionals diagnose epilepsy?
The medical community generally expects medical professionals to adhere to a systematic approach when diagnosing epilepsy. This can include:
Get patient information. It is important for medical professionals to gather a detailed patient history to identify seizure types and triggers. Patients can help by being prepared to describe the seizure and an estimate of how long the seizure episodes last.
Order tests. Medical professionals should generally perform a neurological examination to rule out other conditions and utilize electroencephalogram (EEG) tests to detect abnormalities in brain activity. Neuroimaging, such as MRI or CT scans, can also help to identify structural causes.
Reach out to specialists. It is also generally recommended that medical professionals refer to a specialist, preferably at an epilepsy center, for complex cases.
It is important to note that the right course of action is constantly changing as we gather more information about this debilitating disorder. State boards expect physicians and other medical professionals to stay up to date on changes that impact their field. In a recent example, the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) updated its guidelines to improve the standard of care for epilepsy patients. These guidelines emphasize the importance of early and accurate diagnosis and recommend comprehensive care that includes medical, psychological, and social components. The updates impact dozens of guidelines, including outpatient care and the use of surgical interventions as part of a treatment plan.
What happens if a medical professional fails to properly diagnose epilepsy?
The biggest health risk resulting from untreated epilepsy is sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). SUDEP refers to the sudden, unexpected death of a person with epilepsy who was otherwise healthy and in whom no other cause of death is found upon autopsy. While the exact cause of SUDEP is not fully understood, it is believed to involve a combination of factors, including respiratory dysfunction, cardiac abnormalities, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction during or after a seizure.
Other significant health risks of untreated epilepsy include Status Epilepticus This is a potentially life-threatening condition in which seizures follow one another without recovery of consciousness between them. It requires immediate medical intervention to prevent lasting brain damage or death.
People with uncontrolled seizures are at a higher risk of injury from falls, drowning, burns, and car accidents due to losing consciousness or control over body movements during a seizure.
In children with epilepsy, especially those with frequent seizures, there can be development delays in language, motor skills, and learning abilities.
Those who fail to follow the accepted standard of care when it comes to diagnosis of epilepsy can face liability for the cost of injuries if a seizure leads to an accident. The costs can extend not just to the patient but to anyone else that was injured as a result of the seizure — for example, injuries that result from a car accident caused by a seizure.
As epilepsy can have a profound impact on a patient's quality of life, it is imperative that healthcare providers are thorough in their diagnostic process. By following best practices and adhering to updated care guidelines, medical professionals can better ensure proper diagnosis and patients can get the care they need.
Patients who are not accurately diagnosed can hold the medical professionals who fail to meet the accepted standard of care liable through a civil suit. This can result in monetary damages to help cover the costs that result from their professional failure.]]>On Behalf of Britcher Leone, LLChttps://www.medmalnj.com/?p=562442024-02-01T20:40:11Z2024-02-01T20:40:11ZHundreds of thousands of patients are misdiagnosed in the United States every single year and researchers call the issue an “urgent public health problem.” In a recent publication in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine, almost 25% of patients who were transferred to the ICU or died in the hospital were victims of a missed or delayed diagnosis.
Case Study Highlights the Severity of Misdiagnosis
Consider the harrowing ordeal of a young mother who, despite giving birth to a healthy child, continued to battle severe exhaustion weeks later. Her doctor, attributing the symptoms to post-partum depression, overlooked the severity of her condition.Subsequent visits for a persistent cough and severe chest pains resulted in dismissive treatment and a failure to recognize the onset of postpartum cardiomyopathy. It was only after an emergency room visit and a prolonged wait that a chest X-ray finally revealed heart failure — a condition that notably is the leading cause of post-delivery mortality and should have been a primary consideration during her evaluations. Her recovery necessitated an extended stay in intensive care, highlighting the dire consequences of diagnostic oversights.
Understanding the Causes of Misdiagnosis
Medical errors, by their nature, are unintentional, but the systems in place can inadvertently exacerbate the likelihood of misdiagnosis. The same advancements that aid physicians in diagnosing illnesses can also create unrealistic expectations for efficiency, leading to hospital administrations pressuring doctors to expedite patient evaluations. This rush can compromise the thoroughness and accuracy of diagnoses.Failure to make a proper differential diagnosis with a workup tailored to address the possible causes of an illness can lead to missed diagnoses. Women and some subpopulations, such as diabetics, have additional risk factors and sometimes different presenting symptoms than the typical patient, and providers need to be aware of these differences.
Legal Recourse
For those who have suffered or lost a loved one due to a misdiagnosis, legal action can serve as a means to seek justice and compensation for the resulting hardships. Holding the responsible parties accountable — be it the treating physicians, the hospital administration, or a combination of factors — is a critical step. Such measures not only provide financial relief but also serve as a catalyst for much-needed systemic reform, with the potential to improve patient care standards and prevent future diagnostic failures.Hundreds of thousands of patients are misdiagnosed in the United States every single year and researchers call the issue an “urgent public health problem.” In a recent publication in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine, almost 25% of patients who were transferred to the ICU or died in the hospital were victims of a missed or delayed diagnosis.
Case Study Highlights the Severity of Misdiagnosis
Consider the harrowing ordeal of a young mother who, despite giving birth to a healthy child, continued to battle severe exhaustion weeks later. Her doctor, attributing the symptoms to post-partum depression, overlooked the severity of her condition.Subsequent visits for a persistent cough and severe chest pains resulted in dismissive treatment and a failure to recognize the onset of postpartum cardiomyopathy. It was only after an emergency room visit and a prolonged wait that a chest X-ray finally revealed heart failure — a condition that notably is the leading cause of post-delivery mortality and should have been a primary consideration during her evaluations. Her recovery necessitated an extended stay in intensive care, highlighting the dire consequences of diagnostic oversights.
Understanding the Causes of Misdiagnosis
Medical errors, by their nature, are unintentional, but the systems in place can inadvertently exacerbate the likelihood of misdiagnosis. The same advancements that aid physicians in diagnosing illnesses can also create unrealistic expectations for efficiency, leading to hospital administrations pressuring doctors to expedite patient evaluations. This rush can compromise the thoroughness and accuracy of diagnoses.Failure to make a proper differential diagnosis with a workup tailored to address the possible causes of an illness can lead to missed diagnoses. Women and some subpopulations, such as diabetics, have additional risk factors and sometimes different presenting symptoms than the typical patient, and providers need to be aware of these differences.
Legal Recourse
For those who have suffered or lost a loved one due to a misdiagnosis, legal action can serve as a means to seek justice and compensation for the resulting hardships. Holding the responsible parties accountable — be it the treating physicians, the hospital administration, or a combination of factors — is a critical step. Such measures not only provide financial relief but also serve as a catalyst for much-needed systemic reform, with the potential to improve patient care standards and prevent future diagnostic failures.]]>On Behalf of Britcher Leone, LLChttps://www.medmalnj.com/?p=562402024-01-22T14:35:08Z2024-01-22T14:35:08ZWhat could go wrong?
Although private equity firms have been investing in healthcare for years, we are just starting to get some data on how the role of these companies within healthcare impacts patient care. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) digs into this data. Researchers with the study reviewed data from millions of patients over a span of ten years and found that those who received treatment at private equity-acquired hospitals experienced a 25.4% increase in adverse events.
These events include falls and infections as well as an increased length of stay and need for readmission. More specifically, researchers broke down the issues as follows:
Falls. Patients were 27.3% more likely to suffer injury from a fall at a hospital acquired by a private equity firm compared to the rate of falls at those not owned by a private-equity firm.
Infections. The rate of a bloodstream infection associated with use of a central line increased by 37.7%. Infections at surgical sites doubled.
Transfers. The researchers note that mortality rates went down at private equity acquired facilities. The researchers explain that this is likely the result of two factors. First, private equity-acquired facilities were more likely to transfer patients. Second, private equity acquired hospitals also reported an increase in treatment of younger patients.
Those opposed to the presence of private equity firms within the healthcare marketplace argue that investing in healthcare with the intent to turn a short-term profit is too aggressive and has a negative impact on patient care, as highlighted with data discussed above.
What about the patients?
Patients injured as a result of poor medical care can hold the responsible parties legally and financially accountable. This is true whether the patient can establish the failure was financially motivated or not. Injured patients have legal recourse when these professionals fail to meet this standard, and this failure results in injury. An attorney experienced in this area of personal injury can review your situation and discuss your options.]]>On Behalf of Britcher Leone, LLChttps://www.medmalnj.com/?p=562122024-01-02T15:49:16Z2024-01-09T15:45:34Z#1: Medical error
Medical errors continue to present a leading cause of death in the United States. Over 400,000 patients suffer a preventable harm while in the hospital every year. These can include a nurse that provides the patient the wrong medication, a surgeon that operates on the wrong site or leaves something behind after completion of the procedure, or a physician’s failure to diagnose an injury.
Those injured due to a medical error can hold their medical team financially accountable for the injury. This is important because the injury will likely result in additional costs like further medical care, rehabilitation expenses, and missed wages.
#2: Hospital-acquired infection
There are also times when we go to the hospital because we have an illness or injury and develop an unrelated illness. Hospital-acquired bacterial infections develop during the stay that were not originally present or incubating within the patient at the time of admission. Examples can include:
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections
Central line-associated bloodstream infections
Ventilator-associated pneumonia
Symptoms often include cough, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain. These infections increase healthcare costs, length of stay, and mortality rates. Although not a new problem, hospital-acquired infections continue to plague hospitals nationwide. A recent study estimates that these infections cost almost $10 billion annually.
Researchers encourage healthcare professionals to practice continued hand hygiene and contact precautions to reduce the risk of spreading bacteria within the hospital setting. Patients who become ill because a healthcare provider failed to follow these precautions can likely hold that individual accountable through a medical malpractice claim.]]>On Behalf of Britcher Leone, LLChttps://www.medmalnj.com/?p=562342024-01-02T15:41:12Z2024-01-05T15:40:49ZYou may have always thought that if someone escaped a serious car crash with fractures, they were lucky. However, about a fifth of all fractures require multiple surgeries or other treatments.
Some fractures don’t heal properly despite these medical interventions. Sometimes, because of the severity or location of the break, they follow a person for the rest of their life. Let’s look at a few examples.
What is a malunion fracture?
This is a fracture where the bone doesn’t return to the correct position as it heals. For example, it may heal at an abnormal angle. This can be particularly debilitating if it involves a leg or even an arm because one leg or arm may end up shorter than the other. Malunion fractures can cause mobility issues if they involve a knee or ankle. They often require additional surgery to realign, shorten or lengthen one or more bones.
How is a nonunion fracture different?
As its name implies, this is a fracture that doesn’t completely heal or, in some cases, doesn’t heal at all. Often, this happens if a person isn’t able to produce enough bone tissue to heal the fracture. It’s more likely to happen in older patients or those with poor blood flow or other conditions that affect their body’s natural healing processes.Orthopedic surgeons can do things like insert plates to stabilize the bone and allow it to heal. Sometimes they’ll opt to graft part of a bone from another part of the patient’s body to help the fracture heal.While it may seem like a fracture should eventually heal if it’s treated appropriately, as you can see here, that’s not always the case. Nonetheless, if you’re not given a good reason why the fracture hasn’t healed as it should, it’s not unreasonable to make sure that it’s not a case of medical negligence.
Why growth plate fractures in children are so serious
Growth plates are areas at the ends of children’s bones that are made of cartilage. They harden and become bone as they grow. This occurs at different rates in different kids. For example, some children do literally go through “growth spurts.” Typically, the process stops somewhere in the teen years. If a growth plate is fractured in any kind of injurious event, it can shatter or completely disintegrate. That naturally affects the bone’s ability to grow to its intended length and shape. As with malunion and nonunion fractures, when a bone in the leg is involved, a child’s mobility can be seriously impaired – possibly into adulthood.Most growth plate fractures, like other fractures, eventually heal. However, they often require at least one surgery and perhaps more as the child gets older and the rest of their bones are growing naturally. A growth plate fracture should be regularly monitored, because the extent of the impairment to bone growth can’t be known at the time of the fracture. Still, the younger a child is when the fracture occurs, the more likely they are to be seriously affected.
Don’t settle until you know the full extent of the injury
What all three of these things have in common is that they don’t follow the “normal” course of healing for a fracture. Further, you can’t predict the outcome. It’s crucial to have the best possible orthopedic professionals from diagnosis through successive surgeries and other treatments to give the bones the best chance of returning to normal – or as close to normal as possible. That’s why you should never write off a fracture as a “minor” injury after a car crash or other event and try to settle as quickly as possible with the at-fault party’s insurer. Having experienced legal guidance can help ensure that you don’t settle too soon or for less money than you’ll need for long-term care, lost income and other damages. ]]>On Behalf of Britcher Leone, LLChttps://www.medmalnj.com/?p=562172024-01-02T15:40:14Z2024-01-02T15:40:14ZAre children getting the care they need?
Researchers recently published an investigation into ED pediatric care in hospitals throughout the nation in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). They investigated the treatment of almost 800,000 children in 983 EDs and found that those who met pediatric readiness standards were far more likely to provide quality care. This seems like a logical conclusion — have pediatric trained staff, and children are more likely to receive the care they need. Yet most EDs fail to provide this relatively basic service to their communities.
One potential resolution is the use of required pediatric readiness measures.
What is pediatric readiness?
The researchers in the investigation noted above define pediatric readiness as meeting six criteria:
Coordination of patient care,
Personnel with appropriate training,
Quality improvement activities,
Safety initiatives,
Policies and procedures in place to address pediatric needs, and
Equipment for young patients.
The researchers with the study have called on national hospital accreditation organizations to adopt these pediatric readiness standards. This would better ensure EDs throughout the nation are able to provide quality care to children in emergency situations. Based on the information gathered in this investigation, the researchers estimate that had these hospitals utilized the pediatric readiness standards, they could have prevented more than 1,000 pediatric deaths.
Such measures would mean more than a reduction in pediatric mortality rates; it would also mean the medical team could provide treatment to reduce the risk of injuries related to delayed treatment. This could include needed medical procedures and intubation to better ensure oxygen reaches the child’s brain.
What are lawmakers doing to address this problem?
Some have passed laws that require hospital systems to train their staff to provide pediatric emergency services. Although not as qualified as a specialist credentialed in emergency pediatrics, pediatric readiness makes a difference. New Jersey is one of three states that require hospitals to be equipped to provide care for their youngest patients. However, according to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, New Jersey state officials have failed to enforce these requirements.]]>