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Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Medical Errors Of The Sort That Killed 3 Babies In A Single Hospital Not Uncommon As hospitals struggle under increasing financial burdens, they run short staffed and with mandatory overtime for nurses and other personnel. Clearly, these are important factors in the number of serious mistakes made. "A 1999 study by the Institute of Medicine, which advises the federal government on health care issues, stuck to more clear-cut mistakes, such as overdoses and postsurgical infections. That study counted 98,000 deaths in 1999; HealthGrades said there were 195,000 deaths annually from 2000 to 2002, and estimated that Americans paid an extra $19 billion in medical care costs for the victims of mistakes," according to a Boston Globe story, which cited data indicating that "that medical errors are widespread, harming up to one in 25 patients who are admitted to the hospital." As a person with too much experience in accompanying family members through long hospital stays (the longest being 14 months straight), I've found that there are steps you can take to help decrease the chance of being harmed by hospital error. Be present as much as possible, perhaps setting up shifts with family or friends so that there is always someone there. Ask questions and do not hesitate to refuse procedures or medications until you can get further information or a second, even third, opinion. Familiarize yourself with standard procedures and watch to make sure that they are followed. Do independent research, but take care to use reputable sources. When used with care, the Internet is a complete and total blessing for those in need of detailed information fast, in order to double check medications, understand medical treatments and procedures, find out the lastest possible information and studies, and come up with alternative treatment options when possible. Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat! posted by Sharon Secor at 1:17 PM |
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