Investigation Reveals Deaths from Medical Errors More Than Doubled

The Hearst media corporation has completed an investigation in preventable medical mistakes and the findings are alarming. According to the investigation, preventable medical errors and infections account for approximately 200,000 deaths each year in the United States. This information was revealed a decade after the Institute of Medicine’s “To Err is Human” analysis, which showed that 44,000 to 98,000 people were dying every year due to medical mistakes. The Institute of Medicine called for the medical community and government to lower that number by 50 percent by 2004.

The findings of the investigation appear to be an estimate, as it was challenging trying to pinpoint the exact number of deaths. Many states do not have a standard or mandatory reporting system for medical error injuries. Therefore, the investigators used different medical records, personnel files, legal documents and reports to come up with their number.

Despite this major increase in medical mistake deaths, some still believe that patient safety has improved over the last ten years. Mary Stefl, dean of health care administration at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, told Hearst that “now, you have checklists prior to surgery; you mark the spot on which limb you were going to operate on. And afterwards, they count the surgical sponges and instruments so they presumably don’t leave anything inside. But it still happens.”

Phil Bronstein, who headed up the investigation stated that the yearly medical error death rate is greater than that for fatal car accidents.

If you have been injured by medical malpractice in Long Island, Manhattan or anywhere in New York, the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine may be able to help. An experienced Long Island medical malpractice attorney from our office will review your case to determine if you should pursue legal action to obtain compensation for your injuries.

To find out more about how we can help you or for answers to your legal questions, call us today at 800.734.9445 or fill out our online contact form.