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. |
