According to a recent article in the Journal of Patient Safety preventable medical errors continue to plague patients, with roughly 210,000 fatalities in the United States each year, making it the third lead cause of death after cancer and heart disease. Even more frightening – the US Ranks last in health and mortality compared to other developed countries.According to a recent article in the Journal of Patient Safety preventable medical errors continue to plague patients, with roughly 210,000 fatalities in the United States each year, making it the third lead cause of death after cancer and heart disease. Even more frightening – the US Ranks last in health and mortality compared to other developed countries.
Examples of preventable medical errors include wrong site surgeries, prescription errors, and communication errors. When other examples of medical malpractice are included, such as diagnostic errors, delays in diagnoses and failure to follow proper protocol are included, this number more than doubles.
While the 1999 landmark report "To Err Is Human" called for action as the result of the staggering number of deaths from preventable medical errors, at that time 98,000 a year, the number of fatalities continues to sky rocket, rather than decrease.
Lawyers representing individuals and families affected by medical malpractice, as well as other patient advocacy groups are seeking ways to save lives and improve hospital experiences. Many are calling for greater transparency in health care, with doctors and hospitals being forthcoming about their mistakes, rather than hiding behind a code of secrecy. If medical professionals were to acknowledge errors immediately, and increase the awareness of the potential of unintended consequences when doctors perform procedure and tests. It's critical that doctors reveal the true risk of harm in conversations with patients.
If you believe that you or a family member has suffered harm as the result of a medical error or negligence, please contact the experienced and dedicated Los Angeles medical malpractice attorneys at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.
