Pittsburgh’s Hospital Safety Report: What Patients at UPMC and AHN Should Know
By Ben Gobel on May 19, 2026
Hospitals are meant to provide healing and care, but patient safety concerns remain an issue across the United States. In Pittsburgh, major healthcare systems like UPMC and Allegheny Health Network (AHN) treat thousands of patients each day, making hospital safety an important concern for many families.
Hospital safety reports review factors such as infection rates, surgical complications, medication errors, and communication between medical teams. Understanding these risks can help patients make informed healthcare decisions.
At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., we help individuals and families evaluate situations where preventable medical mistakes may have occurred and explain what legal options may be available.
What Hospital Safety Reports Measure
Hospital safety reports analyze several areas that directly affect patient well-being. These reports are typically compiled using data from government health agencies, patient surveys, and medical outcome statistics.
Some of the key areas evaluated include:
- Infection prevention and control
- Surgical safety practices
- Medication management
- Staffing levels and training
- Communication between doctors and nurses
- Patient injury rates
These categories help identify patterns that may indicate whether a hospital consistently follows safe care practices.
Common Patient Safety Concerns in Hospitals
Even in well-respected healthcare systems, preventable medical errors can still occur. Many of these incidents happen because of breakdowns in communication, rushed decision-making, or failures in hospital procedures.
Some of the most common safety issues reported in hospitals include:
Hospital-Acquired Infections – Patients may develop infections during a hospital stay, particularly if sterile protocols are not followed. These infections can occur after surgery or through the use of medical devices such as catheters and ventilators.
Medication Errors – Mistakes involving medications can occur when the wrong drug, dosage, or timing is used. These errors may lead to serious complications, especially for patients already dealing with complex medical conditions.
Surgical Complications – In some situations, surgical teams may fail to properly monitor patients before, during, or after a procedure. Surgical errors and complications can sometimes be prevented through better communication and standardized safety procedures.
Delayed Diagnosis or Treatment – Busy hospital environments can sometimes lead to delays in recognizing serious medical conditions. When treatment is postponed, a patient’s condition may worsen unnecessarily.
How Patients Can Protect Themselves During Hospital Care
Patients and family members can take several practical steps to help reduce the risk of medical mistakes during a hospital stay.
Some helpful precautions include:
- Asking questions about diagnoses and treatment plans
- Confirming medications and dosages before they are administered
- Keeping a written record of symptoms and medical history
- Ensuring healthcare providers wash their hands before treatment
- Bringing a trusted family member or advocate to appointments
Being proactive and involved in your care can help ensure that important details are not overlooked.
When Hospital Errors May Lead to Medical Malpractice
Not every negative medical outcome results from negligence. However, when healthcare providers fail to follow accepted medical standards and a patient is harmed as a result, the situation may involve medical malpractice.
Examples of potentially negligent hospital care may include:
- Failure to monitor a patient’s condition
- Ignoring abnormal test results
- Performing procedures incorrectly
- Administering improper medications
- Delays in providing necessary treatment
In cases involving serious injuries, reviewing the circumstances surrounding the care provided can help determine whether medical negligence occurred.
Speak With a Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If you or a loved one experienced serious complications during a hospital stay, it may be helpful to explore whether medical errors played a role. Hospital records, treatment timelines, and expert medical opinions can all provide important insight into what happened.
The attorneys at Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C. represent patients and families in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania who have been harmed by preventable medical mistakes. If you have concerns about hospital care or patient safety, contact our office to discuss your situation and learn how we may be able to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hospital safety report?
A hospital safety report evaluates how well a hospital protects patients from preventable harm. These reports often review infection rates, surgical outcomes, medication errors, and patient injury data.
Are hospital safety ratings publicly available?
Yes. Several organizations publish hospital safety ratings using publicly available data and patient surveys to evaluate healthcare facilities.
Can medical errors occur in highly rated hospitals?
Yes. Even hospitals with strong reputations can experience preventable medical mistakes due to communication failures, staffing challenges, or system breakdowns.
What should I do if I believe a hospital made a serious mistake?
If you suspect a medical error occurred, it is important to obtain your medical records, document what happened, and consider speaking with an attorney who can review the situation.
How do medical malpractice claims work in Pennsylvania?
Medical malpractice claims involve proving that a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and that this failure caused harm to the patient.
When should I contact a medical malpractice attorney?
If a hospital error caused significant injury, long-term complications, or unexpected medical problems, consulting an attorney can help you understand your legal options.