Washington • More than half of the 47 Arizona hospitals ranked in a recent survey of patient safety got a grade of C, the lowest grade offered in the first year of the national report.

Chandler Regional Medical Center is one of only a few hospitals in the state using new technology to locate the placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter, or PICC line.

Chandler Regional Medical Center is one of only a few hospitals in the state using new technology to locate the placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter, or PICC line.

Kathie Kukla started steadily losing weight two years ago.

Initiallly, she viewed the weight loss as a good thing — until she was diagnosed with liver cancer. “When I read that report, it just absolutely terrified me,” said Kukla, a 65-year-old Sun City resident.

To medical professionals, they are called “peripherally inserted central catheter lines” and “Sapiens TCS.” To Mary Law of Surprise, they are “a miracle.” This summer, Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center began using an X-ray free device that allows doctors to determine better placement of peripherally inserted central catheter lines, or PICC lines.

Independence day arrived for Ramona Luckman-Cohen on June 12, 2009. After more than 10 years of pain, suffering and misdiagnoses, the Sun City West woman left St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix with a renewed sense of freedom.