New study claims medical error could be third most common cause of death
An analysis recently published by The BMJ claims medical errors are one of the most common causes of death in the U.S. The study estimates that medical errors are the cause of over 250,000 deaths per year, or nearly 700 each day. Based on the calculations, medical error ranks among the nation’s top three causes of death with cancer and heart disease.
“The U.S. government and private sector spend a lot of money on heart disease research and prevention. They also spend a lot of money on cancer research and prevention. It is time for the country to invest in medical quality and patient safety proportional to the mortality burden it bears,” advise the study’s authors in a letter to the CDC.
Serious injuries resulting from medical errors are another concern raised by the analysis. In this Washington Post article, Frederick van Pelt of The Chartis Group says the number of injuries could be 40 times greater than the number of deaths.
What is considered a medical error?
Medical errors are commonly the result of:
- Breakdowns in communication
- Medication and diagnostic errors
- Poor judgement
- Lack of skill
These actions, or combinations of these actions, become medical errors when they result in the harm or death of a patient. They can occur at the individual or system level.
Although prevention of medical errors should be a public health priority, the authors of the study believe reporting limitations keep the issue from gaining the funding, research and attention necessary for change.
What’s wrong with the way medical errors are reported?
Physicians, funeral directors, medical examiners and coroners determine an individual’s cause of death using to the International Classification of Disease (ICD) code. As detailed by the study, human and system factors in medical care are not assigned an ICD code, meaning it’s likely that deaths caused by medical error are severely underreported.
How can you protect yourself from medical errors?
While many of the factors that contribute to medical errors are out of the patient’s control, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
Steps to Take:
- Avoid summer surgeries.
Did you know July is the most dangerous month to undergo surgery? Studies have shown up to 34 percent increases in patient deaths and complications during this month. Elk & Elk attorney Craig McLaughlin explains the “July effect.”
- Do your research.
Not all hospitals are created equal. Large, busy hospitals may be overwhelming, but inexperience at low-volume surgical centers can be deadly. Check out these tips on choosing a hospital and information about hospital rating systems.
- Know your risk.
The risk of becoming the victim of a medical error varies by the type of care you are receiving. U.S. News & World Report Health discusses a few of the more common preventable medical errors, and offers advice on taking control of your health.
Were you or a loved one the victim of a medical error? Contact Elk & Elk today to find out if you may have a claim.
“RE: Methodology used for collecting national health statistics” by Sarah Joo, Michael Daniel, Tim Xu, and Martin A. Makary, Signed Letter to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 1, 2016.
“Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the US” by Martin A. Makary and Michael Daniel, The BMJ, May 3, 2016.
“Researchers: Medical errors now third leading cause of death in United States” by Ariana Eunjung Cha, The Washington Post, May 3, 2016.
Utafiti mpya unaonyesha kuwa makosa ya matibabu yanaweza kuwa sababu ya tatu ya kifo, na utafiti wa hivi karibuni unaonyesha kuwa makosa ya matibabu ni moja ya sababu za kawaida za kifo nchini Marekani. Kulingana na ripoti hiyo, makosa ya matibabu husababisha vifo vya watu zaidi ya 250,000 kila mwaka, au karibu watu 700 kila siku. Kulingana na hesabu hizo, makosa ya kitiba ni mojawapo ya sababu tatu kuu za kifo kwa kansa na magonjwa ya moyo nchini Marekani. Serikali ya Marekani na sekta binafsi hutumia pesa nyingi katika utafiti na kuzuia magonjwa ya moyo. Pia wanatumia pesa nyingi katika utafiti na kuzuia kansa. "Ni wakati kwa nchi kuwekeza katika ubora wa matibabu na usalama wa mgonjwa kulingana na mzigo wa vifo unaobeba, ""washauri wa utafiti katika barua kwa CDC." Majeraha makubwa yanayotokana na makosa ya kitiba ni wasiwasi mwingine uliofufuliwa na uchambuzi. "Kulingana na ripoti ya gazeti la Washington Post, Frederick van Pelt, mwandishi wa habari wa shirika la habari la The Chatti Group, ""kiwango cha watu waliojeruhiwa ni cha juu zaidi kuliko cha watu waliokufa.""" Ni nini kinachohesabiwa kuwa kosa la kitiba? Makosa ya matibabu ni matokeo ya: - Kuvunjika kwa mawasiliano - Makosa ya matibabu na utambuzi - Hukumu mbaya - Ukosefu wa ustadi - Vitendo hivi, au mchanganyiko wa vitendo hivi, huwa makosa ya matibabu wakati yanaposababisha madhara au kifo cha mgonjwa. Wanaweza kutokea katika ngazi ya mtu binafsi au mfumo. Ingawa kuzuia makosa ya matibabu inapaswa kuwa kipaumbele cha afya ya umma, waandishi wa utafiti wanaamini mipaka ya kuripoti inazuia suala hilo kupata fedha, utafiti na umakini unaohitajika kwa mabadiliko. Ni nini kibaya na njia makosa ya matibabu ni kuripotiwa? Wataalamu wa matibabu, wataalamu wa maiti, wataalamu wa maiti na wataalamu wa maiti huamua sababu ya kifo cha mtu kwa kutumia nambari ya International Classification of Disease (ICD). "Kama ilivyoelezwa na utafiti, ""vitu vya binadamu na mfumo katika huduma ya matibabu havijapewa nambari ya ICD, ikimaanisha inawezekana kwamba vifo vinavyosababishwa na makosa ya matibabu havijaripotiwa sana.""" Unawezaje kujilinda dhidi ya makosa ya kitiba? Ingawa kuna mambo mengi ambayo yanaweza kusababisha makosa ya kitiba ambayo mgonjwa hawezi kuyadhibiti, kuna hatua unazoweza kuchukua ili kupunguza hatari ya kuwa mhasiriwa. Hatua za Kuchukua: - Epuka upasuaji wa majira ya kiangazi. Je, unajua Julai ni mwezi hatari zaidi wa kufanyiwa upasuaji? Utafiti unaonyesha kuwa asilimia 34 ya vifo vya wagonjwa huongezeka katika kipindi hiki cha mwezi. Mwanasheria wa Elk & Elk Craig McLaughlin anaelezea "athari ya Julai". - Fanya utafiti wako. Si hospitali zote zilizoumbwa kwa usawa. Hospitali kubwa zenye shughuli nyingi zaweza kuwa zenye kulemea, lakini ukosefu wa uzoefu katika vituo vya upasuaji visivyo na idadi kubwa ya wagonjwa waweza kuwa wenye kuua. Angalia vidokezo hivi juu ya kuchagua hospitali na habari kuhusu mifumo ya kiwango cha hospitali. - Jua hatari yako. Hatari ya kuwa mhasiriwa wa kosa la kitiba inatofautiana kulingana na aina ya utunzaji unaopokea. U.S. News & World Report Health inazungumzia baadhi ya makosa ya kawaida ya matibabu yanayoweza kuepukwa, na inatoa ushauri kuhusu kudhibiti afya yako. Je, wewe au mtu unayempenda amepatwa na kosa la kitiba? Wasiliana na Elk & Elk leo ili kujua kama unaweza kuwa na madai. "Mfano wa ""Utaratibu wa Kukusanya Takwimu za Afya za Kitaifa"" na Sarah Joo, Michael Daniel, Tim Xu, na Martin A. Makary, barua iliyoandikwa kwa Vituo vya Kudhibiti na Kuzuia Magonjwa, Mei 1, 2016." "Utafiti wa ""Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti." "Utafiti wa ""Makosa ya Matibabu"" ni sababu ya tatu ya vifo nchini Marekani, na ni ya kwanza kwa miaka miwili tangu kuanzishwa kwa utafiti huo, na ni ya kwanza kwa miaka miwili tangu kuanzishwa kwa utafiti huo, na ni ya kwanza kwa miaka miwili."