When you go to the hospital, there are a lot of things you can expect to see. Sick patients in the waiting room. Doctors and nurses running around checking on patients. Cockroaches in the operating room.
What, you weren’t expecting that last one? Well, believe it or not, these nasty insects are a reality at one particular Florida hospital. HCA Florida Bayonet Point in Hudson is a hotbed for many safety issues and possible medical malpractice. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which administers health care for more than 60 million Americans, assigned the hospital an overall one-star rating out of five. This is the lowest star ranking possible.
When more than a dozen surgeons from the hospital met in December 2021 to discuss safety issues, they had a lot on their mind. Patient safety has been an issue at the 290-bed acute care facility owned by HCA Healthcare Inc. for many months. They all agreed on two things: the hospital was not a safe environment for performing surgery and it was a dangerous place to practice.
Besides the cockroaches in the operating room, the surgeons discussed other topics, such as unsanitary surgical instruments, an overflowing emergency department, and inadequate monitoring of ICU patients. They also talked about scary surgery issues, such as anesthesiology errors that resulted in patients waking up while in surgery. The facility is also falling apart, with leaks and medical equipment held together with medical tape.
HCA Healthcare Inc., which owns Bayonet Point, is America’s largest hospital company. Across the United States and United Kingdom, it operates 182 hospitals and 125 surgery centers. HCA is highly profitable, earning $5.6 billion in 2022.
But you wouldn’t know it, given that HCA is highly focused on cutting costs and corners. Doctors and nurses agree. State regulators have raised issues about patient care at Bayonet Point multiple times in the past two years.
Four doctors spoke about the hospital’s quality of care, and all agreed that it has declined significantly since 2021. That was when HCA cut staff and began hiring contract workers. The number of incidents that resulted in permanent or severe temporary harm or death have risen. In January 2022, there were 18 “near misses” among surgery patients. One occurred when the wrong side of a patient was prepped for surgery. Doctors at Bayonet Point say patient risks got out of control in 2021, when the hospital slashed its anesthesiology staff, going from 15 providers to one.
Recent photos of the hospital show that it is, quite frankly, a mess. There are ceiling leaks in a recovery room and oxygen equipment held together with tape. Bloody and backed-up sinks are also common. You can also find wires dangling from a hole in the wall as well as cockroaches in the operating room.
How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help You
A medical malpractice lawyer is essential for navigating the complex legal landscape of medical negligence cases. Here are some things they can provide for you:
- Legal advice. A medical malpractice lawyer can provide expert legal advice based on their knowledge and experience in the field. They can explain your rights and options available to you.
- Gathering of evidence. Building a strong medical malpractice case requires a thorough investigation. These cases are highly complex and require a lot of evidence. A lawyer will work with medical experts, review medical records, and gather other relevant documentation to support your claim.
- Consult with experts. The backbone of most medical malpractice cases is expert testimony. An expert will be needed to establish the standard of care, demonstrate negligence, and prove causation. Your attorney should have access to medical professionals who can testify on your behalf.
- Negotiations and settlements. Medical malpractice cases do not always go to court. Many are resolved through negotiation and settlement. A lawyer will work to secure fair compensation based on your medical expenses and other damages.
- Representation in court. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will prepare your case for trial. They will represent you in court by presenting evidence and arguing on your behalf to maximize your chances of a successful outcome.
Contact Us Today
Medical malpractice is commonplace in hospitals and doctor’s offices as these facilities cut corners and put patient safety at risk.
Injured by a doctor’s negligence? A Miami medical malpractice lawyer from Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein can help you prove liability. Contact us today for a free consultation by filling out the online form.