Data released today by Hospital Corporation of America (NYSE: HCA) shows
that a simple, $1 test is preventing irreparable brain damage in
newborns.
The test detects severe jaundice, which is easy and inexpensive to
treat, but if left undetected can lead to kernicterus, a condition that
leaves babies brain damaged and often physically impaired. Experts
estimate that as many as 60 percent of all newborns are affected by some
level of jaundice.
HCA, which has 190 hospitals, performs the test on babies born in its
124 obstetrics units before they are discharged. More than 225,000
babies are born each year in HCA's hospitals.
"The medical community continues to underestimate the severity and
incidence of kernicterus," said Dr. Vinod Bhutani, a clinical professor
of neonatology at the Stanford University School of Medicine who has
conducted extensive research on the prevention of kernicterus. "We have
seen an increase in this disorder since hospital stays for mothers and
babies shortened in the early 1990's. Visually assessing newborns is not
enough. All babies should be screened for severe jaundice before they go
home, in order to prevent kernicterus."
A study conducted by Dr. Bhutani using data from HCA hospitals from May
1 through December 31, 2004 -- before HCA began screening babies --
documented a monthly average of 1.2 cases of babies with jaundice severe
enough to put them at hazardous risk for kernicterus. There were 151,996
babies born during this period. From February 1 of this year, when HCA
began screening babies born in its hospitals, through May 31, there have
been no new cases. During that time, 72,870 babies were born in HCA
hospitals.
"The results of the 2004 study clearly show a much higher incidence rate
than the medical community previously thought," Bhutani said. "HCA's
efforts this year demonstrate that screening newborns is preventing
kernicterus."
"As a mother of a child with this horrifying disorder, I know firsthand
the devastating effects it can cause," said Sue Sheridan, spokesperson
for the advocacy, educational and support group P.I.C.K., Parents of
Infants and Children with Kernicterus and co-founder of Consumers
Advancing Patient Safety. "Had my son Cal been given this simple,
inexpensive test shortly after he was born, today he would be a healthy
boy. Every baby must be screened. I strongly encourage all hospitals to
follow HCA's example."
In the last few years, the Centers for Disease Control and the Joint
Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations have issued
alerts to all accredited hospitals and public health professionals in
the United States saying that all healthy infants are at potential risk
of kernicterus if their newborn jaundice is not monitored and not
adequately treated. P.I.C.K. has urged all hospitals to screen every
newborn for severe jaundice in order to prevent kernicterus. Still, the
majority of U.S. hospitals do not screen all newborns for this.
"It is our view at HCA that one case of kernicterus is one case too
many," said Dr. Frank Houser, senior vice president of quality and
medical director for HCA. "When we began to look at this problem, it was
clear that screening babies born in our hospitals to prevent kernicterus
was absolutely the right thing to do. More important, this data shows
that screening newborns works."
What is Kernicterus?
Kernicterus is a type of brain damage that causes cerebral palsy and
hearing loss. It also causes problems with vision and teeth and
sometimes can cause mental retardation. Babies' livers can have problems
processing bilirubin, a waste product of old red blood cells that the
body no longer needs. When too much bilirubin builds up in a new baby's
body, it causes jaundice -- a condition that frequently, but not always,
causes a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Jaundice is very common in
newborn babies and usually goes away by itself. A little jaundice is not
a problem, but a few babies have too much jaundice. If not treated,
usually with phototherapy or, if severe enough, with a blood exchange
transfusion, high levels of bilirubin can damage the brain. Jaundice is
not always visually detectable, however a simple, inexpensive test can
identify infants at risk.
Sue and Cal Sheridan's Story
Sue Sheridan's son Cal was born a healthy baby on March 23, 1995. He was
first noted to be jaundiced through visual assessment at 16.5 hours old,
but a bilirubin test was not done. Caregivers assured Sue and her
husband that Cal's jaundice was normal, and they shouldn't worry. On day
four, Cal had trouble breastfeeding and became lethargic. Sue called the
newborn nursery, and they assured her there was no reason for concern.
Sue immediately took Cal to the pediatrician, who also visually assessed
the jaundice. A bilirubin test was not done until day five, when Cal was
admitted to the pediatric unit. Cal was treated unsuccessfully with
phototherapy. On day six, Cal began displaying what Sue later learned
were acute symptoms of kernicterus: a high pitched cry, respiratory
distress, increased tone and arching of his neck. Sue did not know at
the time that her newborn son was suffering brain damage before her eyes
and in her arms. Cal's brain damage was preventable, and today Sue
advocates for all hospitals to screen every newborn for severe jaundice
to prevent kernicterus.
About HCA
Hospital Corporation of America is the nation's leading provider of
healthcare services, composed of locally managed facilities that include
approximately 190 hospitals and 90 outpatient surgery centers in 23
states, England and Switzerland. More than 225,000 babies are delivered
each year at HCA's 124 obstetrics units. At its founding in 1968,
Nashville-based HCA was one of the nation's first hospital companies.
All references to "Company" and "HCA" as used throughout this document
refer to HCA Inc. and its affiliates.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding HCA's business
which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that
involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and
uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those
contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the
Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal
year.
Investors, Mark Kimbrough, +1-615-344-2688, or
Media, Jeff Prescott, +1-615-344-5708,
both of HCA