RT Journal
A1 Ettinger WH
T1 CAn hospitalization-associated disability be prevented?
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2011
FD October 26
VO 306
IS 16
SP 1800
OP 1801
DO 10.1001/jama.2011.1563
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.1563
AB 
Each year, nearly 1 million older adults are hospitalized in the United States for treatment of an acute illness. Although many hospitalizations are necessary and lead to improvement, iatrogenic complications are common. All too frequently, older patients develop infections, pressure ulcers, delirium, adverse effects from treatment, and falls resulting in injury, among other complications. According to a report by the Office of the Inspector General, 7.4% of Medicare beneficiaries who were hospitalized in 2008 experienced a preventable adverse event.1 To improve the quality and safety of hospital care, Congress has enacted several broad programs that mandate reporting of quality, safety, patient experience, and adverse events and that provide financial incentives to improve performance.