Understaffing Reports at University of Louisville Hospital Look Grim
Just a few days ago, we reported about a dangerous situation that has been slowly unfolding at University of Louisville Hospital since 2013. Severe nursing layoffs and other employee cuts caused the hospital to become understaffed to high levels which forced overnight E.R. patients, for example, to not be seen until 9 AM the following […]
The Implications of University of Louisville Hospital’s Staff Cuts
In a recent Courier Journal article, it was revealed that the state of Kentucky is currently investigating whether patient care is being compromised at University of Louisville Hospital due to hospital understaffing caused by severe staff cuts issued by KentuckyOne Health, the healthcare corporation that currently owns the hospital.
How a Smartphone Can Save Your Life During a Car Accident
Whether you have an Android or iPhone, there’s no denying the fact that smartphones make our lives infinitely easier while on the go. Help is only a quick key press away during any emergency, and GPS tracking makes it possible for family members and emergency response vehicles to locate their loved ones during a crisis. […]
What Should I Ask My Doctor After a Car Accident?
After being involved in a car accident, it can seem like you never have enough time to stop and catch your breath let alone relax. One thing you need to prioritize, however, is your own health and well-being. Even if your injuries appear or feel minor, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as […]
N.F.L.’s Flawed Concussion Research Potentially Tied to the Tobacco Industry
For the last 13 years, the National Football League has stood behind the league committee’s research papers that downplayed the news headlines claiming that a frightening number of players went into retirement early after experiencing concussions and other brain injuries like chronic traumatic encephalopathy—a type of degenerative brain disease. Despite physician criticism years after the […]
Kindred Healthcare Pays Federal Government $125 Million
In an agreement finalized on Tuesday, Kindred Healthcare Inc., a nursing home company located in Louisville, Kentucky, has agreed to pay $125 million to settle federal allegations that it gave patients unnecessary treatment in a grand scheme to overbill the federal Medicare program and increase company profits. The allegations include placing patients in the highest […]
Warning Letters Sent to Five Supplement Makers Regarding the Synthetic Drug Picamilon
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sent letters to five nutritional supplement manufacturers warning them to remove products labeled with the synthetic ingredient picamilon. Letters were sent to DBM Nutrition, ICF International LLC, Top Secret Nutrition LLC, Applied Nutriceuticals Inc., and SDC Nutrition Inc., giving each company fifteen business days to respond to requests […]
Thomas Law Offices works with Kentucky Attorney General to resolve $15.5 million Risperdal case
The end of 2015 brought with it the successful end to Risperdal litigation filed by Thomas Law Offices, the Office of the Kentucky Attorney General and the Houston Law Firm of Bailey Peavy Bailey Cowan and Heckman. The lawsuit, which alleged the drug company violated the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act, sought penalties against the company […]
Billions of Dollars Paid to Settle Cases Involving Use of the Drug Risperdal
Johnson & Johnson recently paid $2.2 billion to settle a decade-long investigation into the company’s illegal promotion of the drug Risperdal. The settlement was split between the federal government and multiple states and was the largest of its kind in U.S. history. The company also failed to disclose certain possible health risks from taking the […]
Injuries Caused by Laundry Detergent Pods on the Rise
Single-use liquid laundry detergent packets, commonly referred to as “pods”, were introduced to the U.S. market in 2010. They’re convenient to use since each pod contains enough highly-concentrated detergent to wash an average load of laundry. Nothing needs to be measured out, and the surrounding material dissolves in water. Despite the convenience of these pods, […]
Frankfort Caregivers Charged With Sexual Abuse of Intellectually Disabled
Four caregivers have been indicted for their role in a sex abuse scandal at Community Choices Unlimited. Attorney General Jack Conway and his Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Unit announced the indictment after the foursome failed to report the abuse allegedly committed by Damon Heath. As a result of their negligence, Heath was able to […]
Kentucky’s High Rate of Nursing Home Fines & Penalties
Of the 20 nursing homes in the country with the most government fines, five of them are in Kentucky. Kentucky also has three nursing homes listed among the top 20 in the nation that were cited for the most serious deficiencies. The list is compiled by ProPublica, which is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces […]
Extendicare Fined $38 Million for Poor Care and Overbilling
Extendicare has settled federal government charges against the company for improper billing and poor care for $38 million. The Justice Department reported that this is the largest nursing home chain settlement for providing substandard care in the department’s history. Both problems were brought to light from whistleblower lawsuits.
Testosterone Causing Strokes in Healthy Men
The lawsuits being filed across the country against the makers of testosterone drugs has painted a tragic picture of many otherwise healthy men who have suffered strokes or heart attacks after taking the medication. In one case, a very healthy 47-year-old man in Seattle suffered a stroke, which he believes was brought on by the […]
Database Reveals Drug Kickbacks To Doctors
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CSM) has unveiled a new database designed to disclose payments made by drug and medical device manufacturers to doctors and teaching hospitals. The site called “Open Payments” has drawn criticism from the industry and doctors who say it was filled with errors. Consumer advocates charge that the site […]