Medical Errors Can Lead to Death and Injury

Many deaths in this country could have been prevented. The most preventable death that occurs that can be prevented is fatal medical errors. Consider this figure:

– It is estimated that over 1,000 people die per day to medical errors that number at 440,000 by the US Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging

The number of people who die from medical errors daily is the equivalent of three 747 jumbo jets crashing every week. Plus, you have to factor in the 10,000 people who end up with non-fatal medical errors and the number of those who are misdiagnosed, the problem with the medical community is really seen.

Not only are lives lost when medical errors occur, but there is a huge monetary loss for the medical community. The Subcommittee found that the cost of medical errors per year is $17 billion. Plus if the person misses work, then this cost is estimated at $1 trillion.

Those who suffer from medical errors are the ones who have to pay for this to be fixed. In fact, many people suffer with bankruptcy after they are having to pay for these errors. Luckily, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) is trying to issue a regulation that would not bill people for these errors, since these errors should not have happened, they believe the patient should not be billed for it. This regulation is also stating that the medical providers cannot bill patients for common preventable injuries such as:

1. Objects left in body after surgery
2. Air embolism
3. Urinary tract infections associated with the use of a catheter
4. Pressure ulcers
5. Infection due to vascular catheter
6. Infection at the site of surgery
7. Injuries that were acquired while at the hospital such as burns or broken bones

For those who want to ensure that they are not the victim to these medical errors, they need to ensure that they are being vigilant with their care. This means paying attention to what you need, and being sure that someone is there to take care of you. Those who have loved ones in the hospital need to ensure that they are also staying at the hospital to ensure that their loved one gets the attention that they need.