The group that accredits hospitals is changing the way it grades facilities. Under a new system, the commission will allow hospitals to accrue more violations before being sanctioned. Critics say it's a step in the wrong direction. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is defending the change. The group says the new system will focus less on punishing hospitals and more on identifying problems.
Jamie Court, with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, doesn't see things that way.
To give free passes to hospitals for lapses in care that result in injuries to patients is not what the public wants. It may be what the hospital industry wants because they don't want anyone to know about those errors.
But hospital officials say access to care is diminished when facilities are denied accreditation. Officials argue the new system will allow hospitals to stay open Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
