Struggling California Hospital to Improve Quality by Better Addressing Patient Complaints

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Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree, Calif., has turned to a software system that would help the embattled hospital improve patient satisfaction and patient safety concerns, according to a Hi-Desert Star news report.

Last year, the California Department of Public Health fined Hi-Desert Medical Center $50,000 after a pediatric patients was injured during surgery. This year, a physician filed a lawsuit against the hospital, accusing his other colleagues and administrators of "negligent patient care" that allegedly led to adverse outcomes and even death, according to the news report.

Hospital administrators have since implemented a software system that logs patient care complaints that would be evaluated and resolved. Patients can complete a complaint form on paper or online, and administrators are directed to keep in contact with patients every few days until the patient is satisfied that his or her complaint is resolved.

Read the news report about the patient complaint log system.

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