Updated October 2026: Hospital Negligence an Ongoing Problem in Florida and Beyond
What is Hospital Negligence?
Hospitals can be liable for negligent acts through some of the same concepts that apply to doctors in a medical malpractice case. Legally, the organization is required to meet the generally accepted standard of care that applies to all facilities. A hospital’s failure to deliver care in accordance with this standard may constitute hospital negligence if another facility would have provided proper treatment under the same circumstances.
Examples of Hospital Negligence
In a 2015 blog post, we discussed a case where parents of a 7-month-old infant were left grieving the loss of their child after a tragic error was made when the infant accidentally received an adult dosage of medication as a result of poor communication between nurses at the hospital where the child was a patient. The baby went into cardiac arrest moments after the terrible mistake was made by the nurse. Sadly, the resuscitation efforts of medical staff failed to revive the infant. Hospital officials admitted that certain portions of safety protocol involving medication were not followed and that they are making changes to reduce the potential for similar human errors in the future.
If a Florida patient were to experience similar circumstances, he or she would be able to file a legal claim for medical malpractice in a civil court on behalf of his or her child of minor age. And indeed, the Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Freidin Brown, P.A. have successfully proven Hospital Negligence in similar cases. Several years back, Attorneys Philip Freidin and Joel Brown won a $2 million verdict for the parents of a 12-year-old child who died as a result of emergency room negligence. The hospital staff mistakenly believed the child’s ER symptoms were drug induced. We proved they should have suspected, diagnosed and treated a brain hemorrhage, which would have saved her life.
2021 Florida Hospital Safety Grades by The Leapfrog Group
When you consider negligence in the medical profession, you probably think of the individual Florida practitioners who fail to provide treatment in accordance with the required standard of care. However, some medical malpractice concepts also encompass large scale negligence in the organizational environment, such as in hospitals and entire health care systems. These facilities also have a duty to provide quality patient care, but Florida’s Hospital Safety Grade as established by the Leapfrog Group indicates there is still work to be done.
In this first installation of a multi-part series on hospital negligence in Florida, we cover the criteria used to grade facilities and demonstrate how these factors apply to organizations across the state. This information can guide you in making decisions about where to seek care in light of the ongoing problem of hospital negligence.
How are Florida Hospitals Rated?
Initially, you should note that the overall picture of quality in hospitals and related facilities is positive. The Leapfrog Group assessed 179 health care organizations, including both private and public centers AND multi-location health care systems. More than half – 124 hospitals – scored an A or B in the grading system, which reviews the facility’s performance related to:
- Preventative care against the following Infections: MRSA, C. diff, blood and urinary tract infections, and colon surgical site infections
- Problems with surgery: Dangerous object left in patient’s body; Surgical wounds splitting; Death from treatable complications; Collapsed lungs; Dangerous blood clots; and Accidental cuts and tears
- Error prevention systems: Doctors order medications through a computer, safe medication administration, hand washing, communication about medicines, communication about patient discharge, and hospital staff’s ability to work together to prevent errors
- Safety issues: patient falls, bed sores, and air bubbles in the blood
- Hospital Staffing to ensure: Effective leadership to prevent errors; sufficient staffing of qualified nurses, specialty doctors for ICU care, effective communication from doctors and nurses to patients, and responsiveness of the hospital staff.
In reviewing the grades of some of the larger hospitals in the state, we found some alarming ‘below average’ ratings. A Bradenton, FL hospital with over 350 beds received a C grade due, in part, to the number of deaths caused by treatable complications. When hospital staff fail to communicate quickly and efficiently or fail to identify post-operative complications, their patients can suffer from pneumonia, a heart attack, or lose liver or kidney function. Death from serious complications can also result from below average leadership or a lack of qualified nurses on staff, two areas where this particular medical facility performed below average.
Our Florida Hospital Negligence Attorneys Can Explain Details
This summary of hospital safety grades is helpful when you need medical treatment, but you are in a different position if you suffered harm because of negligence. You do have legal options through a medical malpractice case, and our Florida hospital negligence attorneys at Freidin Brown, P.A. will be at your side to ensure you get the compensation you deserve by law. Please contact our offices in Miami or Fort Myers today to set up a free consultation. We can provide additional information after reviewing your circumstances.
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Hospital Negligence an Ongoing Problem in Florida and Beyond
Florida medical patients, as well as those in other states, have the right to reasonably assume that medical staff members under whose care they have entrusted themselves will act according to the utmost levels of professionalism and safety regulations at all times. When the patient is an infant, parents might be especially concerned with knowing that their child is being well taken care of in the hospital. When hospital negligence occurs, it can result in tragedy, as it did in a case in another state.
Parents of a 7-month-old infant were left grieving the loss of their child after a tragic error was made by a nurse at the hospital where the child was a patient. A hospital spokesman stated that a nurse had prepared a bag of medication for an adult patient. In the meantime, the baby was also in need of medication, and another nurse entered the area where the first nurse had left the adult medication bag. The nurse tending to the baby thought the medication was for the infant; she took it and administered it to the child.
The baby reportedly went into cardiac arrest moments after the terrible mistake was made by the nurse. Sadly, the resuscitation efforts of medical staff failed to revive the infant. Hospital officials admitted that certain portions of safety protocol involving medication were not followed and that they are making changes to reduce the potential for similar human errors in the future.
If a Florida patient were to experience similar circumstances, he or she would be able to file a legal claim for medical malpractice in a civil court on behalf of his or her child of minor age. If a doctor, nurse, practitioner or other medical professional is deemed liable for negligence, a successfully litigated case could result in a compensatory award being issued to the patient. This could then be used to help alleviate any financial burden that might exist in relation to injuries suffered through hospital negligence or expenses incurred by the family of a deceased patient.
Source: boiseweekly.com, “St. Luke’s: Nurse’s Medication Error Resulted in Child Fatality”, Geroge Prentice, Oct. 3, 2015
North Hospitals
The medical profession is a respected one, and patients literally entrust their lives and well-being to health care providers from the individual physician to the large-scale health care facilities. You have the right to reasonably assume that these practitioners will comply with the appropriate standards of care. It is disturbing to learn that not all facilities meet the high levels of professionalism you expect. The Hospital Safety Grade system established by Leapfrog Group reveals a few sites in North Florida that received low marks related to some very basic safety concerns.
While a C is considered average in education, all hospitals should strive to earn an A in all areas. At one 250+ bed medical center in North Florida, the biggest issue is poor ratings with doctors, nurses, and hospital staff. Even though this facility received the best hospital score for having specially trained ICU doctors, it’s below average performance in other areas significantly altered its Safety Grade. This investor-owned hospital in North Florida received consecutive C grades over the past three years. Communication problems among doctors and nurses put patients at risk of harm, as well as creating obstacles with responsiveness.
Theories of Liability in Hospital Negligence Claims: As a practical matter, hospital negligence is the failure of the facility to provide a level of care in accordance with reasonably acceptable standards. Some theories that may give rise to a negligence claim against the hospital include:
- Negligent Hiring: A hospital is required to use reasonable judgment and conduct a diligent investigation when hiring staff. For current employees, the hospital must take proper action if administrators know or should have known about the dangers an individual presents for patients.
- Inadequate Staffing: Hospitals are required to ensure that there is sufficient staff on duty at all times to support the needs of patients. If understaffing impacts quality patient care, there may be a situation of hospital negligence.
Attorneys Philip Freidin and Jonathan Freidin once handled a case that involved a 30-year-old patient with bacterial endocarditis. When hospital physicians discovered abnormal findings in their patient’s spleen, they ordered a hematology consult. The nursing staff at this particular hospital failed to follow up on the doctors’ orders, and hematologist never came to see the patient. The jury found that as a result of the nurses’ negligence, the patient had a stroke that could have been avoided had the nurses followed up on the doctor’s order.
Discuss Legal Options with a Florida Hospital Negligence Lawyer
These issues at North Florida hospitals could provide the basis of a lawsuit for hospital negligence if the facility’s actions deviate from the relevant standard of care. You may qualify to obtain compensation if you or a loved one suffered harm, so please contact the Florida hospital negligence attorneys at Freidin Brown, P.A. to learn more about your legal options. We can set up a free consultation at our offices in Miami or Fort Myers, FL.
Resources:
Can a Florida Hospital Be Liable for Negligence?
For reference, below are some of the medical facilities located in North Florida:
AdventHealth Daytona Beach
301 Memorial Medical Pkwy. | Daytona Beach, FL | Volusia County
Beds: 362 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth DeLand
701 W. Plymouth Ave. | DeLand, FL | Volusia County
Beds: 164 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Fish Memorial
1055 Saxon Blvd. | Orange City, FL | Volusia County
Beds: 197 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach
401 Palmetto St. | New Smyrna Beach, FL | Volusia County
Beds: 109 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Ocala
1500 S.W. 1st Ave. | Ocala, FL | Marion County
Beds: 414 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Palm Coast
60 Memorial Medical Pkwy. | Palm Coast, FL | Flagler County
Beds: 99 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Waterman
1000 Waterman Way | Tavares, FL | Lake County
Beds: 300 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County
1670 St. Vincent’s Way | Middleburg, FL | Clay County
Beds: 134 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Ascension St. Vincent’s HealthCare
Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside
1 Shircliff Way | Jacksonville, FL | Duval County
Beds: 584 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Ascension St. Vincent’s HealthCare
Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside
4201 Belfort Rd. | Jacksonville, FL | Duval County
Beds: 313 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Ascension St. Vincent’s HealthCare
Baptist Medical Center Beaches
1350 13th Ave., S. | Jacksonville Beach, FL | Duval County
Beds: 146 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health
Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville
800 Prudential Dr. | Jacksonville, FL | Duval County
Beds: 489 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health
Baptist Medical Center Nassau
1250 S. 18th St. | Fernandina Beach, FL | Nassau County
Beds: 62 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health
Baptist Medical Center South
14550 Old St. Augustine Rd. | Jacksonville, FL | Duval County
Beds: 291 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health
Bayfront Health Brooksville
17240 Cortez Blvd. | Brooksville, FL | Hernando County
Beds: 120 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Bayfront Health Seven Rivers
6201 N. Suncoast Blvd. | Crystal River, FL | Citrus County
Beds: 128 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Bayfront Health Spring Hill
10461 Quality Dr. | Spring Hill, FL | Hernando County
Beds: 124 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital
3599 University Blvd., S. | Jacksonville, FL | Duval County
Beds: 160 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Capital Regional Medical Center
2626 Capital Medical Blvd. | Tallahassee, FL | Leon County
Beds: 266 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Citrus Memorial Health System
502 W. Highland Blvd. | Inverness, FL | Citrus County
Beds: 204 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Curahealth Jacksonville
4901 Richard St. | Jacksonville, FL | Duval County
Beds: 107 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Curahealth Property LLC
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Ocala
2275 S.W. 22nd Ln. | Ocala, FL | Marion County
Beds: 80 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Spring Hill
12440 Cortez Blvd. | Brooksville, FL | Hernando County
Beds: 80 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Tallahassee
1675 Riggins Rd. | Tallahassee, FL | Leon County
Beds: 76 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Flagler Hospital
400 Health Park Blvd. | St. Augustine, FL | St. Johns County
Beds: 335 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Kindred Hospital North Florida
801 Oak St. | Green Cove Springs, FL | Clay County
Beds: 73 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Hospital Ocala
1500 S.W. 1st Ave. 5th Floor | Ocala, FL | Marion County
House District: 023
Beds: 31 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Lake Butler Hospital
850 E. Main St. | Lake Butler, FL | Union County
Beds: 25 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: NA / Independent
Lake City Medical Center
340 N.W. Commerce Dr. | Lake City, FL | Columbia County
Beds: 91 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Madison County Memorial Hospital
224 N.W. Crane Ave. | Madison, FL | Madison County
Beds: 25 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System:
Mayo Clinic Hospital in Florida
4500 San Pablo Rd. | Jacksonville, FL | Duval County
Beds: 304 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Memorial Hospital Jacksonville
3625 University Blvd., S. | Jacksonville, FL | Duval County
Beds: 454 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA South Atlantic Division
North Florida Regional Medical Center
6500 W. Newberry Rd. | Gainesville | Alachua County
Beds: 510 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Oak Hill Hospital
11375 Cortez Blvd. | Brooksville, FL | Hernando County
Beds: 350 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Ocala Regional Medical Center
1431 S.W. 1st Ave. | Ocala, FL | Marion County
Beds: 288 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Orange Park Medical Center
2001 Kingsley Ave. | Orange Park, FL | Clay County
Beds: 365 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA South Atlantic Division
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital
1900 Don Wickham Dr. | Clermont, FL | Lake County
Beds: 170 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Orlando Health
Putnam Community Medical Center
611 Zeagler Dr. | Palatka, FL Putnam County
Beds: 99 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
River Point Behavioral Health
6300 Beach Blvd. | Jacksonville, FL | Duval County
Beds: 84 | Organization Type: Psychiatric | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Universal Health Services, Inc.
Select Specialty Hospital-Tallahassee
1554 Surgeons Dr. | Tallahassee, FL | Leon County
Beds: 48 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
1300 Miccosukee Rd. | Tallahassee, FL | Leon County
Beds: 772 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System:
West Marion Community Hospital
4600 S.W. 46th Ct. | Ocala, FL | Marion County
House District: 022
Beds: 186 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Wolfson Children’s Hospital
800 Prudential Dr. | Jacksonville, FL | Duval County
House District: 013
Beds: 202 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health
South Hospitals
Many people associate medical malpractice with individual practitioners, but it is important to realize that liability extends up the ladder. A hospital or entire health care system could be negligent in providing care, and patients pay the price of their misconduct. Fortunately, there are resources for weeding out organizations that do not meet the appropriate standards of professionalism. The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grades system works according to the familiar scoring scale you remember from school: From A to F, a facility’s score demonstrates that it exceeds, meets, or falls below certain standards.
It is reassuring to know that the majority of hospitals in the state earned A and B in the most recent assessment, but you should be aware of low marks by a few South Florida facilities. This fifth and final edition of our series on the ongoing problem of hospital negligence in Florida is a helpful wrap up as we review key patient safety issues.
One South Florida medical center’s C rating was due in part to the high number of dangerous bed sores patients suffer from remaining in the same prone or sitting position too long. These wounds are a type of pressure ulcer, and they can penetrate deeply into the muscle or bone if not addressed. For the patient, this could mean a longer period of hospitalization; worst case scenario cases may involve amputation or even death. At this hospital, for every 1000 people discharged instances of dangerous bedsore occurred at a rate of .79, where as the average hospital’s score was .58 for every 1000 patients.
This particular medical center also performed below average in preventing dangerous blood clots after surgery. The rate at which dangerous blood clots occurred at this hospital was 4.78 for every 1000 patients that had surgery. In comparison, the best hospital scored 1.53/1000 and the average score was 3.74/1000 patients who underwent a surgical procedure.
A while back, Freidin Brown, P.A. attorneys won a million-dollar medical malpractice jury verdict for the parents of an 18-year-old girl who, after being hit by a drunk driver and severely fracturing her leg, died from a blood clot. We proved that the clot should have been prevented by her doctors.
Another C rated South Florida hospital includes an investor-owned facility in Atlantis, FL with over 500 beds. This hospital was below average in the area of MRSA infection, as well as C. diff infections.
Unlike some staph bacteria that respond to antibiotics, hospital staff must take precautions and implement special handling requirements regarding MRSA. This form of bacteria may remain in linens and equipment unless properly cleansed, and it can also spread if staff do not follow hand washing protocol.
When a hospital performs below average in preventing infections, it is likely that its patients are at a higher risk of sepsis and septic shock conditions that result from these types of serious infections. Even after a patient recovers, post-septic syndrome may lead to:
- Nightmares
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Panic attacks and mood swings
- Hallucinations
- Cognitive disorders
- Depression
Talk to Our Florida Hospital Negligence Attorneys About Your Options
If you suffered harm because of hospital negligence, you may have legal remedies under state medical malpractice laws, Our Florida hospital negligence attorneys at Freidin Brown, P.A. can explain how these cases work and compensation you may be entitled to receive, so please contact our offices today. We can schedule a no-cost consultation to evaluate your circumstances and advise you on your rights.
For Reference Purposes, here is a list of some South Florida hospitals:
Aventura Hospital and Medical Center
20900 Biscayne Blvd. | Aventura, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 467 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Baptist Hospital of Miami
8900 N. Kendall Dr. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 886 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Bethesda Hospital East
2815 S. Seacrest Blvd. | Boynton Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 401 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Bethesda Hospital West
9655 W. Boynton Beach Blvd. | Boynton Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 80 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Boca Raton Regional Hospital
800 Meadows Rd. | Boca Raton, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 400 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Cleveland Clinic Florida – Weston
3100 Weston Rd. | Weston, FL | Broward County
Beds: 206 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
1000 36th St. | Vero Beach, FL | Indian River County
Beds: 286 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital
200 S.E. Hospital Ave. | Stuart, FL | Martin County
Beds: 244 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital
2100 S.E. Salerno Rd. | Stuart, FL | Martin County
Beds: 100 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital
10000 S.W. Innovation Way | Port St. Lucie, FL | St. Lucie County
Beds: 177 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Cleveland Clinic Florida
Coral Gables Hospital
3100 Douglas Rd. | Coral Gables, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 245 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Delray Medical Center
5352 Linton Blvd. | Delray Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 380 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
DePoo Hospital
1200 Kennedy Dr. | Key West, FL | Monroe County
Beds: 49 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Doctors Hospital
5000 University Dr. | Coral Gables, FL | Miami-Dade County
Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Encompass Health Rehab Hospital of Martin Health
5850 S.E. Community Dr. | Stuart, FL | Martin County
Beds: 80 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Encompass Health Rehab Hospital of Treasure Coast
1600 37th St. | Vero Beach, FL | Indian River County
Beds: 80 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Miami
20601 Old Cutler Rd. | Cutler Bay, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sunrise
4399 Nob Hill Rd. | Sunrise, FL | Broward County
Beds: 126 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Florida Medical Center – A Campus of North Shore
5000 W. Oakland Park Blvd. | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Broward County
House District: 095
Beds: 459 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Good Samaritan Medical Center
1309 N. Flagler Dr. | West Palm Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 333 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Hialeah Hospital
651 E. 25th St. | Hialeah, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 366 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Holy Cross Hospital
4725 N. Federal Hwy. | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Broward County
Beds: 557 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Homestead Hospital
975 Baptist Way | Homestead, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 147 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
JFK Medical Center
5301 S. Congress Ave. | Atlantis, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 527 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
JFK Medical Center North Campus
2201 45th St. | West Palm Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 280 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Jupiter Medical Center
1210 S. Old Dixie Hwy. | Jupiter, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 242 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Kendall Regional Medical Center
11750 S.W. 40 St. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 447 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Keralty Hospital
2500 S.W. 75th Ave. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 125 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System:
Kindred Hospital South Florida-Coral Gables
5190 S.W. 8th St. | Coral Gables, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 55 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Hospital South Florida-Ft. Lauderdale
1516 E. Las Olas Blvd. | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Broward County
Beds: 64 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Hospital South Florida-Hollywood
1859 Van Buren St. | Hollywood, FL | Broward County
Beds: 119 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Hospital The Palm Beaches
5555 W. Blue Heron Blvd. | Riviera Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 70 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs Campus
1475 W. 49th St. | Hialeah, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 247 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Larkin Community Hospital South Miami Campus
7031 S.W. 62nd Ave. | South Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 146 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute
1700 S. 23rd St. | Ft. Pierce, FL | St. Lucie County
Beds: 398 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Lower Keys Medical Center
5900 College Rd. | Key West, FL | Monroe County
Beds: 118 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Mariners Hospital
91500 Overseas Hwy. | Tavernier, FL | Monroe County
Beds: 25 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
Mercy Hospital
3663 S. Miami Ave. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 488 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Mount Sinai Medical Center
4300 Alton Rd. | Miami Beach, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 664 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
3100 S.W. 62nd Ave. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 309 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
North Shore Medical Center
1100 N.W. 95th St. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 337 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Northwest Medical Center
2801 N. State Road 7 | Margate, FL | Broward County
Beds: 289 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
3360 Burns Rd. | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 199 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Palmetto General Hospital
2001 W. 68th St. | Hialeah, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 368 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Palms West Hospital
13001 Southern Blvd. | Loxahatchee, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 204 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Pinecrest Rehab. Hospital at Delray
5360 Linton Blvd | Delray Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 90 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation/Dept. | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Plantation General Hospital
401 N.W. 42nd Ave. | Plantation, FL | Broward County
Beds: 240 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Raulerson Hospital
1796 Hwy. 441, N. | Okeechobee, FL | Okeechobee County
Beds: 100 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Sebastian River Medical Center
13695 US Hwy. 1 | Sebastian, FL | Indian River County
Beds: 178 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Steward Health Care
Select Specialty Hospital-Miami
955 N.W. 3rd St. Victoria Center | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 47 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
Select Specialty Hospital-Miami Lakes
14001 N.W. 82nd Ave. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
Select Specialty Hospital-Palm Beach
3060 Melaleuca Ln. | Lake Worth, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
South Miami Hospital
6200 S.W. 73rd St. | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 436 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health South Florida
St. Anthony’s Rehabilitation Hospital
3487 N.W. 30th St. | Lauderdale Lakes, FL | Broward County
Beds: 26 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Catholic Health Services
St. Catherine’s Rehabilitation Hospital
1050 N.E. 125th St. | North Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 22 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Catholic Health Services
St. Catherine’s West Rehabilitation Hospital
8850 N.W. 122nd St. | Hialeah Gardens, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 40 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Catholic Health Services
St. Lucie Medical Center
1800 S.E. Tiffany Ave. | Port St. Lucie, FL | St. Lucie County
Beds: 207 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
St. Mary’s Medical Center
901 45th St. | West Palm Beach, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 460 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
UMHC-UHealth Tower
1400 N.W. 12th Ave. Suite 2023 | Miami, FL | Miami-Dade County
Beds: 560 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: University of Miami Health System
University Hospital & Medical Center
7201 N. University Dr. | Tamarac, FL | Broward County
Beds: 257 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
University Pavilion Hospital
7425 N. University Dr. | Tamarac, FL | Broward County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Psychiatric/Dept. | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Wellington Regional Medical Center
10101 Forest Hill Blvd. | Wellington, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 235 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Universal Health Services, Inc.
West Boca Medical Center
21644 State Road 7 | Boca Raton, FL | Palm Beach County
Beds: 195 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Tenet Healthcare
Central Hospitals
Any business owes a duty of professionalism to its customers, but Florida hospitals are held to a higher standard because their medical services directly impact patient safety. A hospital must deliver care in accordance with what is generally accepted in the medical field, which is measured by how a similarly situated facility would conduct operations. Numerous lawsuits for hospital negligence might be an indication of a subpar facility, but the Leapfrog Group also evaluates quality through Florida’s Hospital Safety Grade. The vast majority of facilities earned an A, but a few in Central Florida did not perform so well. After covering other geographic regions in this multi-part series on hospital negligence in Florida, it is time to turn to Central Florida Medical facilities.
A nearly 400 bed Medical Center & Heart Institute located in Ft. Pierce, FL received a lower-than-average safety rating due to serious surgical complications. Two of the most critical errors in the surgical field are a concern at this facility:
- Surgical site infection after colon surgery, where the infection starts within the colon and can quickly spread to other areas of the body
- Dangerous objects left inside the patient’s body after completing surgery, often a surgical sponge that is prone to absorbing bacteria and promoting infection
There are multiple forms of hospital negligence underlying these surgical errors, including failure to use antibiotics before surgery and maintain a sanitary operating room. Staff should also monitor patients carefully after major colon surgery. A policy of counting sponges or implementing an electronic scanning system ensures objects are not left inside patients. Additionally, this facility also experienced issues with communication between doctors and nurses, which is often another route cause of hospital errors.
Hospital errors like this can be life threatening or have long term effects as a result of negligent care. The Medical Malpractice attorneys at Freidin Brown, P.A. once handled a case where a 15-year-old girl was admitted to a South Florida hospital for heart surgery. Although the surgery went well, the next morning it was discovered that a pulmonary clamp had not been removed. Although emergency surgery was performed to remove the clamp, the young girl had suffered irreparable damage to her lungs and other internal organs. Sadly, she died leaving behind two grieving parents and three brothers and sisters. The attorneys at Freidin Brown, P.A. were able to obtain a quick confidential resolution of the case to allow the parents of this young girl to obtain justice on her behalf.
Another facility, located in Titusville, FL received a low grade from the Leapfrog Group because a significant number of patients developed dangerous blood clots as they were undergoing surgery or after the procedure. Blood cells may accumulate around sections of the veins that suffer damage during surgery. When the clot breaks away, it can travel to areas of the body and disrupt function. The safest hospitals apply pressure to parts of the body that are prone to developing clots, such as the legs. They also use blood thinners where appropriate and constantly monitor at-risk individuals. Failure to do the same could be considered hospital negligence because it represents a deviation from the medical standard of care.
Call Now to Speak to Our Florida Hospital Negligence Attorneys
Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grades are useful for planning purposes and making wise choices on health care, but legal action may be necessary if you suffered harm. At Freidin Brown, P.A., our team is experienced in hospital negligence cases, so we are prepared to hold facilities accountable for their failure to provide proper care. Please contact our Florida hospital negligence attorneys to schedule a no-cost case review at our offices in Miami or Fort Myers, FL today.
Resource:
.hospitalsafetygrade.org/search?findBy=state&zip_code=&city=&state_prov=FL&hospital=
Hospitals Located in Central Florida:
AdventHealth Altamonte Springs
601 E. Altamonte Drive | Altamonte Springs, FL | Seminole County
Beds: 393 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Apopka
2100 Ocoee Apopka Rd. | Apopka, FL | Orange County
Beds: 120 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Celebration
400 Celebration Pl. | Celebration, FL | Osceola County
Beds: 317 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth East Orlando
7727 Lake Underhill Dr. | Orlando, FL | Orange County
Beds: 295 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Kissimmee
2450 N. Orange Blossom Tr. | Kissimmee, FL | Osceola County
Beds: 162 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Orlando
601 E. Rollins St. | Orlando, FL | Orange County
Beds: 1432 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Winter Park
200 N. Lakemont Ave. | Winter Park, FL | Orange County
Beds: 422 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
Central Florida Regional Hospital
1401 W. Seminole Blvd. | Sanford, FL | Seminole County
Beds: 221 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Encompass Health Rehab Hospital of Altamonte Springs
831 S. State Road 434 | Altamonte Springs, FL | Seminole County
Beds: 70 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital
701 W. Cocoa Beach Cswy. | Cocoa Beach, FL | Brevard County
Beds: 150 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Health First, Inc.
Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center
1350 S. Hickory St. | Melbourne, FL | Brevard County
Beds: 550 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Health First, Inc.
Health First Palm Bay Hospital
1425 Malabar Rd., N.E. | Palm Bay, FL | Brevard County
Beds: 120 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Health First, Inc.
Health First Viera Hospital
8745 N. Wickham Rd. | Melbourne, FL | Brevard County
Beds: 84 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Health First, Inc.
Kindred Hospital Melbourne
765 W. Nasa Blvd. | Melbourne, FL | Brevard County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Melbourne Regional Medical Center
250 N. Wickham Rd. | Melbourne, FL | Brevard County
Beds: 119 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Steward Health Care
Nemours Children’s Hospital
13535 Nemours Pkwy. | Orlando, FL | Orange County
Beds: 130 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System:
Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital
10000 W. Colonial Dr. | Ocoee, FL | Orange County
Beds: 216 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Orlando Health
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
92 W. Miller St. | Orlando, FL | Orange County
Beds: 158 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Orlando Health
Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital
9400 Turkey Lake Rd. | Orlando, FL | Orange County
Beds: 285 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Orlando Health
Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital
17000 Porter Rd. | Winter Garden, FL | Orange County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Orlando Health
Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center
52 W. Underwood St. | Orlando, FL | Orange County
Beds: 898 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Orlando Health
Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital
555 W. State Road 434 | Longwood, FL | Seminole County
Beds: 206 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Orlando Health
Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital
2906 17th St. | St. Cloud, FL | Osceola County
Beds: 84 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Orlando Health
Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hosp. for Women & Babies
83 W. Miller St. | Orlando, FL | Orange County
Beds: 348 | Organization Type: Acute Care/Dept. | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Orlando Health
Osceola Regional Medical Center
700 W. Oak St. | Kissimmee, FL | Osceola County
Beds: 404 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Oviedo Medical Center
8300 Red Bug Lake Rd. | Oviedo, FL | Seminole County
Beds: 64 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Poinciana Medical Center
325 Cypress Parkway | Kissimmee, FL | Osceola County
Beds: 76 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Rockledge Regional Medical Center
110 Longwood Ave. | Rockledge, FL | Brevard County
Beds: 298 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Steward Health Care
Sea Pines Rehab Hospital affiliate of Encompass Health
101 E. Florida Ave. | Melbourne, FL | Brevard County
Beds: 90 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Select Specialty Hospital-Orlando North
2250 Bedford Rd. | Orlando, FL | Orange County
Beds: 35 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
Select Specialty Hospital-Orlando South
5579 S. Orange Ave. | Edgewood, FL | Orange County
Beds: 64 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
UCF Lake Nona Medical Center
6700 Lake Nona Blvd. | Orlando, FL | Orange County
Beds: 64 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
West Hospitals
Medicine is a respected profession, but the individuals and entities responsible for delivering quality patient care are not without fault. From the single physician or medical practice to large-scale hospital facilities, negligence by health care providers puts patients at risk. While not proof of misconduct, the Hospital Safety Grade system established by Leapfrog Group is a helpful resource in assessing how well hospitals are able to meet patient needs. Unfortunately, there are some concerns about facilities in West Florida when it comes to some basic safety issues.
As individuals increasingly act as advocates for their own health, they want to know that they can trust the physicians and facilities providing care. This fifth article in our series on the ongoing problem of hospital negligence in Florida covers the west side of the state, where issues with a lack of leadership, nurse and intensivist shortages and the avoidance of using Computerized Physician Order Entry systems are cause for concern.
A major St. Petersburg hospital, with 480 beds, scored one of the only two D grades in Florida, consistent with its previous grades over the past 3 years. The rating can largely be attributed to their lack of specialty doctors for ICU patients. According to Leapfrog, the most well-staffed hospital received a score of 100, with the average score being 60.72. The hospital with the worst ICU staffing scored a 5 out of 100, which is the rating that this hospital received. In its description of the significance of having specially trained doctors to care for ICU patients, the Hospital Safety Grades website states, “A critical care unit or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a special part of the hospital that provides care for extremely ill patients. Hospitals should have special doctors called intensivists working in the ICU. Intensivists are physicians with advanced training in intensive or critical care. They learn to manage problems in the ICU and help to reduce errors. There are higher death rates in hospitals where ICU patients are not cared for by intensivists.”
While this hospital declined to report on the effectiveness of their leadership structures that address patient safety issues and are held accountable for improvements, their ranking for communication of doctors and nurses with patients also reflect a below average performance. The hospital also performed below average for doctors using computerized physician order entry systems for patients in the hospital. This means that their 70-point score was below that of the average hospital’s (82.18) for the implementation of Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) systems for patient prescriptions, which are design to help medical facilities avoid medication errors that could cause serious harm.
When hospital procedures and management structures fall to a below average standard, patients are likely to be at a higher risk of experiencing an error, accident, or injury. For example, in early July there was national news coverage of an organ transplant mix up, in Ohio, which resulted in a patient receiving a kidney that had already been designated to someone else. The tragic mix up was a reported consequence of a failure to follow protocol during the organ verification process. Similar to the St. Petersburg hospital mentioned above, this Ohio hospital also received a D from Leapfrog’s 2021 Hospital Safety Grades report. They too received the worst score recorded (5/100) for staffing specially trained ICU doctors, and fell significantly below average for their use of CPOE systems, with a 45/100 score.
Considering Filing a Claim for Hospital Negligence
Just as you have rights when a physician makes an error in providing treatment, Florida medical malpractice laws also allow you to pursue a hospital for misconduct. These facilities are held to a certain standard of care, and they can be liable for deviating from what is recognized as acceptable in the field of medicine. Filing a claim for hospital negligence may involve an out-of-court settlement, but a lawsuit may be necessary to obtain fair compensation.
Whether you were injured because of the three factors described above or other circumstances, you may qualify to recover monetary damages for:
- Medical costs to treat the injuries resulting from malpractice
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Losses that affect your personal relationships and quality of life.
Set Up a Consultation with a Florida Hospital Negligence Lawyer
As you can see, there can be challenges in recovering the compensation you deserve in a claim for hospital negligence. Our Florida hospital negligence attorneys at Freidin Brown, P.A. have extensive skills and experience in these cases, so please contact us to schedule a no-cost case revision at our offices. Once we assess your circumstances, we can advise you on your potential remedies.
Resource:
hospitalsafetygrade.org/search?findBy=state&zip_code=&city=&state_prov=FL&hospital=
For reference purposes, below is a list of West Florida hospitals:
AdventHealth Carrollwood
7171 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 103 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Connerton
9441 Health Center Dr. | Land O’ Lakes, FL | Pasco County
Beds: 77 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Dade City
13100 Fort King Rd. | Dade City, FL | Pasco County
Beds: 120 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Heart of Florida
40100 Highway 27 | Davenport, FL | Polk County
Beds: 202 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Lake Placid
1210 US Hwy. 27, N. | Lake Placid, FL | Highlands County
Beds: 33 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Lake Wales
410 S. 11th St. | Lake Wales, FL | Polk County
Beds: 160 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth North Pinellas
1395 S. Pinellas Ave. | Tarpon Springs, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 168 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Sebring
4200 Sun ‘n Lake Blvd. | Sebring, FL | Highlands County
Beds: 171 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Tampa
3100 E. Fletcher Ave. | Tampa, FL Hillsborough County
Beds: 536 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Wauchula
735 S. 5th Ave. | Wauchula, FL | Hardee County
Beds: 25 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel
2600 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | Wesley Chapel, FL | Pasco County
Beds: 169 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
AdventHealth Zephyrhills
7050 Gall Blvd. | Zephyrhills, FL | Pasco County
Beds: 149 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: AdventHealth
Bartow Regional Medical Center
2200 Osprey Blvd. | Bartow, FL | Polk County
Beds: 72 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – Bartow Regional Medical Center
BayCare Alliant Hospital
601 Main St. MS#402 | Dunedin, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 48 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – Morton Plant Mease Health Care
Bayfront Health Port Charlotte
2500 Harbor Blvd. | Port Charlotte, FL | Charlotte County
Beds: 254 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Bayfront Health Punta Gorda
809 E. Marion Ave. | Punta Gorda, FL | Charlotte County
Beds: 208 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Bayfront Health St. Petersburg
701 6th St., S. | St. Petersburg, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 480 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Blake Medical Center
2020 59th St., W. | Bradenton, FL | Manatee County
Beds: 383 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Brandon Regional Hospital
119 Oakfield Dr. | Brandon, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 436 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
DeSoto Memorial Hospital
900 N. Robert Ave. | Arcadia, FL | DeSoto County
Beds: 49 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System:
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
5731 Bee Ridge Rd. | Sarasota, FL | Sarasota County
Beds: 155 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Largo
901 N. Clearwater Largo Rd. | Largo, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 70 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of North Tampa
3840 Atmore Grove Dr. | Lutz, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 50 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota
6400 Edgelake Dr. | Sarasota, FL | Sarasota County
Beds: 96 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Englewood Community Hospital
700 Medical Blvd. | Englewood, FL | Sarasota County
Beds: 100 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Fawcett Memorial Hospital
21298 Olean Blvd. | Port Charlotte, FL | Charlotte County
Beds: 253 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
12902 Magnolia Dr. | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 218 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System:
Highlands Regional Medical Center
3600 S. Highlands Ave. | Sebring, FL | Highlands County
Beds: 126 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA East Florida Division
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
501 6th Ave., S. | St. Petersburg, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 259 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System:
Kindred Hospital Bay Area-St. Petersburg
3030 6th St., S. | St. Petersburg, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 82 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Hospital Bay Area-Tampa
4555 S. Manhattan Ave. | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 73 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Hospital Central Tampa
4801 N. Howard Ave. | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 102 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Kindred Healthcare
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center
1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd. | Lakeland, FL | Polk County
Beds: 864 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System:
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. | Bradenton, FL | Manatee County
Beds: 120 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Universal Health Services, Inc.
Landmark Hospital of Southwest Florida
1285 Creekside Blvd., E. | Naples, FL | Collier County
Beds: 50 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System:
Largo Medical Center
201 14th St., S.W. | Largo, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 286 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Largo Medical Center-Indian Rocks
2025 Indian Rocks Rd. | Largo, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 169 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Lehigh Regional Medical Center
1500 Lee Blvd. | Lehigh Acres, FL | Lee County
Beds: 88 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Prime Healthcare Services
Manatee Memorial Hospital
206 Second St., E. | Bradenton, FL | Manatee County
Beds: 295 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Universal Health Services, Inc.
Mease Countryside Hospital
3231 McMullen Booth Rd. | Safety Harbor, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 311 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – Morton Plant Mease Health Care
Mease Dunedin Hospital
601 Main St. | Dunedin, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 120 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – Morton Plant Mease Health Care
Medical Center of Trinity
9330 State Road 54 | Trinity, FL | Pasco County
Beds: 278 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Memorial Hospital of Tampa
2901 Swann Ave. | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 183 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Morton Plant Hospital
300 Pinellas St. | Clearwater, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 599 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – Morton Plant Mease Health Care
Morton Plant North Bay Hospital
6600 Madison St. | New Port Richey, FL | Pasco County
Beds: 150 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – Morton Plant Mease Health Care
NCH Baker Hospital
350 7th St., N. | Naples, FL | Collier County
Beds: 391 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: NCH Healthcare System
NCH North Naples Hospital
11190 Health Park Blvd. | Naples, FL | Collier County
Beds: 322 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: NCH Healthcare System
Northside Hospital
6000 49th St., N. | St. Petersburg, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 288 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Palms of Pasadena Hospital
1501 Pasadena Ave., S. | St. Petersburg, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 307 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
PAM Specialty Hospital of Sarasota
6150 Edgelake Dr. | Sarasota, FL | Sarasota County
Beds: 40 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Post Acute Medical (PAM)
Physicians Regional Medical Center-Collier Boulevard
8300 Collier Blvd. | Naples, FL | Collier County
Beds: 100 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Physicians Regional Medical Center-Pine Ridge
6101 Pine Ridge Rd. | Naples, FL | Collier County
Beds: 109 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point
14000 Fivay Rd. | Hudson, FL | Pasco County
Beds: 290 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Select Specialty Hospital-Fort Myers
3050 Champion Ring Rd. | Ft. Myers, FL | Lee County
Beds: 60 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
South Bay Hospital
4016 Sun City Center Blvd. | Sun City Center, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 138 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
South Florida Baptist Hospital
301 N. Alexander St. | Plant City, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 147 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – St. Joseph’s-Baptist Health Care
St. Anthony’s Hospital
1200 7th Ave., N. | St. Petersburg, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 393 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – St. Anthony’s Health Care
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
3001 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Bvd | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 186 | Organization Type: Acute Care/Dept. | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – St. Joseph’s-Baptist Health Care
St. Joseph’s Hospital
3001 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Bvd | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 542 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – St. Joseph’s-Baptist Health Care
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North
4211 Van Dyke Rd. | Lutz, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 216 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – St. Joseph’s-Baptist Health Care
St. Joseph’s Hospital-South
6901 Simmons Loop | Riverview, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 223 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – St. Joseph’s-Baptist Health Care
St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital
3030 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Bvd | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 169 | Organization Type: Acute Care/Dept. | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – St. Joseph’s-Baptist Health Care
St. Petersburg General Hospital
6500 38th Ave., N. | St. Petersburg, FL | Pinellas County
Beds: 215 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Tampa Community Hospital
6001 Webb Rd. | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough County
Beds: 201 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA West Florida Division
Tampa General Hospital
1 Tampa General Circle | Tampa, FL Hillsborough County
Beds: 1007 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System:
Venice Regional Bayfront Health
540 The Rialto | Venice, FL | Sarasota County
Beds: 312 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Winter Haven Hospital
200 Avenue F, N.E. | Winter Haven, FL | Polk County
Beds: 447 | Organization Type: Acute Care| Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – Winter Haven Hospital
Winter Haven Women’s Hospital
101 Avenue O, S.E. | Winter Haven, FL | Polk County
Beds: 61 |Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: BayCare – Winter Hav
Florida Panhandle Hospitals
Hospital rankings systems are important from a societal standpoint and for purposes of governmental funding, but the methodology is also helpful on a personal level. When you need to make decisions regarding where to obtain care, you need solid guidance regarding the facilities in your area. Anyone in the Florida Panhandle may want to carefully assess their full options in this region, as some facilities may be cause for concern.
Our series on the ongoing problem of hospital negligence in Florida began with an overview of the Leapfrog grading system, along with a discussion on patient rights after suffering harm because of misconduct. One major hospital, a 457-bed hospital in Pensacola, FL, received a C grade for Spring of 2021 as a result of patients experiencing blood Infections, C-Diff infections, surgical site infections after colon surgery, dangerous blood clots, and too few specially trained physicians for their intensive care patients.
Another large panhandle hospital, located in Panama City, FL received one of the two D grades allocated to hospitals in the state of Florida, with similar grades in previous years and an F grade in 2018. This hospital performed below average on preventing MRSA and blood infections; dangerous objects left in patients’ bodies; surgical wounds re-opening; and accidental cuts and tears. Poor performance in these metric areas may likely be the result of negligent care throughout the hospital.
Factors Behind the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade
Though the facilities underwent the same survey conditions and evaluations by the Leapfrog Group, some of the biggest red flags are:
- Infections: The facility scored below average for such infections as MRSA and C diff, as well as blood and urinary tract infections. A low grade was also linked to problems with surgical site infections after colon surgery
- Understaffing: The report card for West Hospital revealed that the facility was below average in staffing, particularly in the acute care environment. The Hospital Safety Grade noted a lack of specially trained doctors to attend patients in the ICU, where a physician’s knowledge and skills could literally mean the difference between life and death.
- Below average performance in regards to surgical errors such as leaving sponges in the patient’s body or cutting the wrong tissue during a procedure and post-operative wound care.
Claims for Hospital Negligence
A hospital does have the duty to deliver care in accordance with generally accepted standards that apply to health care facilities in Florida. The two concerns described above could be an indication that this hospital deviates from the standard of care, which could support a claim for hospital negligence. Specific acts of misconduct by the facility may include:
- Not implementing proper policies for sanitation in operating rooms, surgical centers, and treatment areas
- Neglect with respect to the overall cleanliness of the hospital in patient rooms and common areas
- Failing to properly staff the ICU with healthcare providers, including physicians that are specially trained to address the specific needs of patients
Contact a Florida Hospital Negligence Lawyer to Learn About Your Rights
If you or a loved one suffered harm through a surgical error, infection or other form of hospital negligence, please contact the Florida hospital negligence attorneys at Freidin Brown, P.A. right away. We can schedule a no-cost case evaluation at our offices in Miami or Fort Myers, FL. After we assess your situation, we can advise you on options for obtaining legal relief. For your reference, below are some of the major hospitals in the panhandle region of Florida.
Florida Panhandle Hospitals:
Ascension Sacred Heart Bay
615 N. Bonita Ave. | Panama City, FL | Bay County
Beds: 323 | Organization Type: Acute Care| Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Ascension Sacred Heart Health System
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast
7800 US Highway 98, W. | Miramar Beach, FL | Walton County
Beds: 86 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Ascension Sacred Heart Health System
Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf
3801 E. Highway 98 | Port St. Joe, FL | Gulf County
Beds: 19 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Ascension Sacred Heart Health System
Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola
5151 N. 9th Ave. | Pensacola, FL | Escambia County
Beds: 547 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Ascension Sacred Heart Health System
Baptist Hospital
1000 W. Moreno St. | Pensacola, FL | Escambia County
Beds: 492 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health Care
Calhoun-Liberty Hospital Association, Inc.
20370 N.E. Burns Ave. | Blountstown, FL | Calhoun County
Beds: 25| Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System:
Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital
1940 Harrison Ave. | Panama City, FL | Bay County
Beds: 86 | Organization Type: Psychiatric | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Universal Health Services, Inc.
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Panama City
1847 Florida Ave. | Panama City, FL | Bay County
Beds: 75 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Encompass Health
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
1000 Mar-Walt Dr. | Ft. Walton Beach, FL | Okaloosa County
Beds: 237 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Gulf Breeze Hospital
1110 Gulf Breeze Pkwy. | Gulf Breeze, FL | Santa Rosa County
Beds: 77 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Not-For-Profit
Parent System: Baptist Health Care
Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center
449 W. 23rd St. | Panama City, FL | Bay County
Beds: 223 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Gulf Coast Treatment Center
1015 Mar Walt Dr. | Ft. Walton Beach, FL | Okaloosa County
Beds: 28 | Organization Type: Psychiatric | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Universal Health Services, Inc.
Healthmark Regional Medical Center
4413 US Highway 331, S. | DeFuniak Springs, FL | Walton County
Beds: 50 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System:
Jay Hospital
14114 Alabama St. | Jay, FL | Santa Rosa County
Beds: 49 | Organization Type: Acute Care
Ownership: Not-For-Profit | Parent System: Baptist Health Care
North Okaloosa Medical Center
151 E. Redstone Ave. | Crestview, FL | Okaloosa County
Beds: 110 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Northwest Florida Community Hospital
1360 Brickyard Rd. | Chipley, FL | Washington County
Beds: 59 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System:
Santa Rosa Medical Center
6002 Berryhill Rd. | Milton, FL | Santa Rosa County
Beds: 129 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Community Health Systems, Inc.
Select Specialty Hospital-Panama City
615 N. Bonita Ave. | Panama City, FL | Bay County
Beds: 30 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
Select Specialty Hospital-Pensacola
7000 Cobble Creek Dr. | Pensacola, FL | Escambia County
Beds: 75 | Organization Type: Acute Care/LTC | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: Select Medical
The Rehabilitation Institute of Northwest Florida
996 Airport Rd. | Destin, FL | Okaloosa County
Beds: 30 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
Twin Cities Hospital
2190 Hwy. 85, N. | Niceville, FL | Okaloosa County
Beds: 65 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
West Florida Hospital
8383 N. Davis Hwy. | Pensacola, FL | Escambia County
Beds: 457 | Organization Type: Acute Care | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
West Florida Rehabilitation Institute
8383 N. Davis Hwy. | Pensacola, FL | Escambia County
Beds: 58 | Organization Type: Rehabilitation/Dept. | Ownership: Investor-Owned
Parent System: HCA North Florida Division
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