Audit shows many hospital patients are sent home too early

Essex residents may be interested to learn about some of the findings from a recent audit of hospital patient care. According to statistics from health authorities and trusts, there is a growing problem of patients being discharged from the hospital too early. Often, these discharged patients are readmitted to hospital later on as emergency cases.

Statistics analyzed in the audit showed that rates of emergency readmissions have risen at two-thirds of all hospitals. Trusts such as South Warwickshire General Hospital, Mid-Cheshire Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital have seen an almost 20 percent increase in readmission rates. Cases where patients are readmitted for broken hips rose by nearly 5 percent nationally and 50 percent at some trusts.

Despite the official figures, the Health Department has stated that the situation in the nation’s hospitals has improved since the audit was conducted. A budget of £200 million has reportedly been set aside to deal with the issue of ‘bed blocking”, in which some patients are forced to remain in hospital because nursing homes are at capacity. These delayed discharges are a particularly serious problem at 14 health authorities where at least 10 percent of hospital beds are occupied by a person who is waiting to leave but can’t.

A patient who has suffered from injuries after being discharged from the hospital too soon may have a case for filing a medical malpractice claim. Many injured patients choose to work with a solicitor while pursuing compensation for their injuries. Legal counsel may be able to help an injured patient to claim compensation for the resulting financial losses.