Sept. 4, 2012
Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, was recently fined $1 million by the Texas Department of State Health Services after an investigation confirmed numerous complaints of safety violations at the facility. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the fine was the largest of its kind in Texas history.
Hospital and government officials reached the agreement it was found the hospital and its staff were responsible for not practicing proper aftercare following surgical procedures, which resulted in the amputation of the individual’s leg and the death of a psychiatric patient after not being properly restrained. The hospital also was not properly enforcing health, safety, and record-keeping codes. Errors like these have led to several Medical Malpractice claims being filed.
The agreement will require the hospital to inform the state of any “reportable adverse events” that occur at the facility throughout the next year. This stipulation is on top of an already established agreement with the federal government requiring the hospital to submit monthly updates on progress towards reaching the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare’s requirements for compliance.
The Drug Injury Lawyers with Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel would like to remind citizens that medical facilities and their staff have a responsibility to make a patient’s health and safety the top priority. We encourage anyone who has suffered because of a medical mistake to discuss your legal rights with a qualified attorney.