One in three hospitalized patients may fall victim to medical errors or other adverse events—a rate more than ten times higher than previous estimates, according to a new study published this month in Health Affairs. David C. Classen, the study’s lead researcher blames the high rate of errors in part on such factors as sicker patients with more complex medical problems and increased use of medications.
“Preventable medical errors are the fifth leading cause of death in the US, killing more people each year than motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer and HIV/AIDS combined,” says Sanjaya Kumar, MD, author of Fatal Care and founder of Quantros, Inc., a federally-certified patient safety organization in Milpitas, California. That’s why it’s crucial to understand how medical care can go awry.
Medication errors. Up to 80 percent of American adults use OTC or Rx medications or dietary supplements at least once a week. Keep a list of all drugs and supplements you take regularly in your wallet in the case that emergency care is needed. This critical list can help to avoid being given extra doses of a medication you are already taking or a drug that might react adversely with your current medications.
Infections and superbugs. Hospital-acquired infections kill up to 100,000 Americans a year. One of the best ways to safeguard your health is to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer and ask healthcare providers to use it in your presence. Insist that providers wear gloves for IV changes or other invasive procedures.
Hospital errors. Common preventable problems include falls, bedsores, and delays in care. If you need to be hospitalized, have a relative or friend act as your advocate that can monitor if staff is making rounds on time, double check that the right medication is given, and stay alert for problems that may require immediate help.
Procedural errors. Request that doctors use ultrasound visualization to guide needles during regional anesthesia injections and for drainage of fluid from the chest or abdomen because it’s safer when physicians can see where the needle is going.
Surgical errors. Ask the doctor to mark the surgery site (or doing so yourself). You also want to write “wrong leg” or “NO!” on the incorrect site. Discuss the procedure in detail with your doctor before the operation and get a second opinion from another doctor before agreeing to go under the knife. Also discuss the doctor’s experience.
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Filed under: healthcare reform, Patient Safety
