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Medical errors are a leading cause of fatalities in the United States. According to estimates by Johns Hopkins University, approximately 250,000 deaths per year can be attributed to medical errors, making it the fourth-leading cause of death in the nation. This number exceeds total fatalities resulting from causes such as motor vehicle accidents 43,458, breast cancer 42,297 or DS 16,516.
Despite being comprised of skilled, dedicated, and honorable professionals, healthcare workers are only and prone to making mistakes. The profit-focused healthcare system in the US exacerbates these errors by prioritizing profits over quality of care. Fortunately, the medical community acknowledges its flaws and continually analyzes the causes of errors for continuous improvement.
To Err Is : Building a Safer Health System, a landmark 2000 consensus study report from the Institute of Medicine on systemic problems leading to injury-causing errors at health facilities, reveals that 70 of all medical errors are preventable. The analysis identified four primary causes of errors in U.S healthcare:
Technical Errors: These account for 44 of all medical errors and occur when care is delivered incorrectly.
Incorrect Diagnosis: This category makes up 17 of errors, occurring due to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis by healthcare professionals.
Flure to Prevent Injury: 12 of errors arise from instances where harm could have been avoided but was not prevented effectively.
Errors in Drug Administration: 10 of medical errors involve mistakes made while administering medication.
The study found that flaws in systems, processes, and conditions at healthcare facilities contribute significantly to the environment conducive to making errors. For example, it has discovered that patient care units in hospitals with full-strength toxic drugs often result in fatal mistakes when diluted improperly.
Estimates suggest that medical errors cost U.S citizens between $17 billion and $29 billion annually due to lost income, lost household production, disability, and healthcare expenses. When a family member suffers from serious injuries or even death as a consequence of preventable medical errors, the immediate emotional distress might overshadow concerns about financial implications. However, it is important to note that the reality includes not only physical and mental anguish but also potentially substantial financial costs for both victims and their families.
If you suspect that a medical error has caused significant injury or complications for yourself or a loved one, consulting with legal experts specializing in medical malpractice becomes crucial. Brown Barron's award-winning medical malpractice attorneys are committed to investigating the specifics of your case, uncovering the truth, and securing fr compensation for injuries suffered through no fault of your own.
For a free initial consultation, contact us by calling 410 698-1717 or reach out via our online platform at this linkhere. We m to restore lives and justice for those affected by preventable medical errors.
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Medical Error Prevention Strategies US Healthcare System Vulnerabilities Costs of Medical Errors Annually Types of Preventable Medical Mistakes BrownBarrons Legal Services Offerings Free Initial Consultation for Victims