| Publication: | The Australian |
|---|---|
| Date: | 16 October 2009 |
| Section: | Health |
Drew Warne-Smith
Article excerpt:
PRIVATE hospitals urged the Rudd government to rethink its planned cuts to the private health insurance rebate after the Productivity Commission's findings that they were safer and more efficient than public hospitals. Australian Private Hospitals Association chief executive Michael Roff argued the government should be doing more to encourage Australians to be treated privately given the commission's findings. The available data, while limited, revealed that infection rates in private hospitals were at least 50 per cent less likely for patients in some procedure categories. Hospital-borne infections remain the most common complication for Australian patients, with an estimated 180,000 cases per year.
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