High Incidence of Medical Errors Lead to Death in the U.S.

In a recent article, the British Medical Journal made a claim that medical errors were now the third leading cause of death in the U.S . , behind only cancer and heart disease. It was reported that every year more than a quarter million people lose their lives as a result of medical errors, which is more than motor vehicles , firearms, and suicides combined . The Journal of Patient Safety has estimated that between 210,000 and 440,000 patients  annually, who go to the hospital for care, suffer some type of preventable harm that contributes to their death.

It's a chilling reality, one often overlooked in annual mortality statistics, because “medical error” isn’t even listed as an official cause of death on International Classification of Disease (ICD) billing codes, and death certificate causes of death must cite these billing codes.

Medical error has traditionally been defined as an unintended act (either of omission or commission) or one that does not achieve its intended outcome; the failure of a planned action to be completed as intended (an error of execution); the use of a wrong plan to achieve an aim (an error of planning); or a deviation from the process of care that may or may not cause harm to the patient.

How can someone avoid being a victim of a medical error? See the following tips by experts:

• Always bring a friend or family member along in a medical setting to ask questions
• Make sure to ask about any type of medication you are given
• Never be afraid to ask questions of your health professional if you feel something is not correct or would like further explanation on an issue.

When a medical error occurs that leads to a serious injury or death, the victim or the family should speak with an experienced attorney to learn about the options available to them. Craig Small of theSmall Law Firm has been very successful at holding health care providers (hospitals, doctors, nurses, and others) accountable for medical mistakes or negligent care provided in Buffalo, NY and the surrounding areas.

If you feel that you or a loved one has been harmed in any way as a result of a medical error or medical negligence, please call the Small Law Firm at 716-847-2600 for more information.