One in five has been victim of medical mistake
More than one out of every five people taking part in a
health care quality survey said that they or a family member experienced a
mistake in a doctor's office or hospital or were given the wrong
medication or dose. About half (51%) of those who experienced an error
reported it as serious. The survey was conducted by Commonwealth Fund.
Speaking at the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons' (AAOS) Orthopaedics Update 2002 web conference, James H.
Herndon, M.D., AAOS first vice president and professor of orthopaedic
surgery at Harvard Medical School and chairman, department of orthopaedic
surgery at Massachusetts General and Brigham Women's Hospital in Boston,
stated: "As the analysis from the Commonwealth Survey says, the
American health care system is unparalleled in technological
sophistication and medical advancements, yet we fall far short of the
ideal when it comes to the safety and efficacy of our health care
services."
Falling "short of the ideal" may be a
considerable understatement.
According to the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) widely
circulated 1999 report "To Err is Human," up to 98,000 deaths
occur each year as the result of medical errors -- more than are caused by
motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer and AIDS combined. The IOM report
estimates that these medical errors cost the United States approximately
$29 billion each year. The majority of medical errors result from
equipment failures, misread lab reports, mismatching of blood during
transfusions, misread prescriptions and wrong-site surgery.
Not surprisingly, the surgeon tried to place much of the
blame on the patient. "While it's imperative that reformative safety
measures take place on all levels including health care leaders, hospital
systems, insurers, doctors and health care workers, there are things that
patients can do to prevent themselves from becoming victims of medical
error," said Dr. Hernon.
Herndon listed several things patients can do to help
protect themselves from medical mistakes, including:
*** Be your own advocate and ask questions -- make sure
you understand the purpose of a treatment or medication.
*** Make sure that all health care professionals
involved in your care have important health information about you. Do not
assume everyone knows everything they need to.
*** Bring someone along with you to act as a second pair
of eyes and ears. They may be able to remember things you don't and they
can monitor your care while you're under the effects of anesthesia.
*** If you have a test, don't assume no news is good
news -- ask about the results.
*** Make sure your doctor knows about every medication
you are taking including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and
dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
*** Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and
adverse reactions you have had to medicines.
*** When your doctor writes you a prescription, ask that
the purpose for the medication be included and make sure you can read it.
*** Double-check that you have the correct medication
when you pick it up at the pharmacy.
*** When having surgery, if possible choose a hospital
that performs the procedure or surgery on many patients.
*** During a hospital stay, do not let anyone give you
medications without checking your hospital ID bracelet every time.
*** Check your health care professional's fingernails.
It's a good sign of his or her cleanliness. If you feel the need, ask him
or her to wash their hands before they touch you.
*** If you are having surgery, make sure that you and
the health care professionals treating you all agree and are clear on what
exactly will be done.
The message is clear. People must take control of their
own health care and be aware of the many risks inherent with any medical
procedures. The days of expecting medical health professionals to look out
for patients are over.
SOURCE: "Patient safety -- doctors and patients
together can prevent medical errors" American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons, October 17, 2002.
