Are Many Medical Mistakes Still Fatal Ones?

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http://www.mercola.com/2005/jun/2/medical_mistakes.htm

 

Are Many Medical Mistakes Still Fatal Ones?

 

Ever since 2000, when the Institute of Medicine released a landmark

report that revealed many thousands of Americans die each year due to

medical mistakes, significant improvements have been made in some

hospitals.

 

Though, apparently not enough, for as many as 98,000 Americans still

die each year because of medical errors, despite what some claim to be

an unprecedented focus on patient safety. So where should the finger

of blame be pointed? According to researchers:

 

* The complexity of heath care systems

* A lack of leadership

* The reluctance of doctors to admit errors

* An insurance system that rewards errors (hospitals can bill for

additional services needed when patients are injured by mistakes)

 

Dire Need for a Change

 

According to the report, the Institute of Medicine urged key health

care organizations to focus on patient safety. Reductions have

allegedly been made in certain kinds of error-related illnesses and

deaths -- as much as 93 percent.

 

But the heat still needs to be turned up on the hospitals ...

 

And the improvements of the magnitude envisioned by the institute

require a national commitment to strict, ambitious, quantitative and

well-tracked national goals. The only question left: Can hospitals

take on the challenge?

 

Journal of the American Medical Association May 18, 2005, Vol. 293,

No. 19: 2384-2390

 

USA Today May 18, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

One of the more popular articles on my site has been the multi-part

article Modern Health Care System is the Leading Cause of Death,

sequel to the landmark Institute of Medicine report published by JAMA

in 2000.

http://www.mercola.com/2004/jul/7/healthcare_death.htm

 

With conventional medicine's errors continuing to occur, can we really

say the system is improving?

 

Considering that another recent study found prescription-related

deaths to spike by 25 percent due to errors made by overworked

pharmacies during the first few days of each month, I would have to

say there is strong evidence to suggest that it hasn't.

 

As long as you continue to take " Band-Aid " drugs and rely on surgeries

as the primary solutions to address what ails you, instead of focusing

on the cause, this unfortunate trend will continue.

 

You can play a role in helping to change health care in this country

by not only educating yourself about health and adopting a healthy

lifestyle, but by encouraging others to do the same.

 

Related Articles:

 

The Disturbing Nature of the Medical Profession

 

The Key to the Transformation of the Western Medical Paradigm

 

Online Journal Provides Forum for Medical Error Discussions