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Sparrow Hospital in Lansing and Memorial Healthcare in Owosso share the dubious distinction of being penalized for having unacceptable injury rates.  Under a provision of the Affordable Care Act, more than two dozen Michigan hospitals will lose 1 percent of all Medicare funding for having high rates of infections, blood clots, bed sores, and other preventable injuries.  Although about half of the hospitals are located in Flint and the greater Detroit area, some notable hospitals from all over the state made the list, including Butterworth in Grand Rapids, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Bronson in Battle Creek.

Reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired infections and injuries is a major component of the penalty provision.  It is estimated that about the annual cost of hospital-acquired infections is approximately $10 billion and 3.8 million hospital injuries occur.  The penalty program is in its third year of existence, and the number of penalized hospitals has grown each year.

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