Medical Errors

Medical errors are estimated at killing 200,000 people each year, and cost us $51 billion. Unfortunately there isn't any requirement to either report or track these errors. Ten years ago the Institute of Medicine reported 1.5 million medication errors alone and suggested that those errors should be reduced by half within 5 years. No one knows what progress has been made because, again, there is no requirement to report or track these errors in a public fashion. The most publicity that has occurred on the topic in years was when actor Dennis Quaid almost lost his newborn twins due to a medication error. This wouldn't have happened if earlier mistakes were reported and publicized. Fortunately, the mistake in the Quaid case was not fatal and the hospital installed a computerized system to prevent incorrect dosages being given.  Consumer's Union is collecting signatures petitioning the U.S. government to take action on this issue. If you are interested, click here.