A study that has been published in a medical journal has noted that in 2013, more than 250,000 people died from medical errors. Based on this estimate, medical errors may be the third leading cause of death in the United States. Hospitals in New York and throughout the country may become safer for patients as insurance companies and medical providers are increasingly examining data about errors and making changes to their policies based on what they learn.
A study that has been published in a medical journal has noted that in 2013, more than 250,000 people died from medical errors. Based on this estimate, medical errors may be the third leading cause of death in the United States. Hospitals in New York and throughout the country may become safer for patients as insurance companies and medical providers are increasingly examining data about errors and making changes to their policies based on what they learn.
One insurer, The Doctors Company, has been doing so for several years and passing its findings on to hospitals and doctors in hopes of improving patient care. The insurer for medical providers that are affiliated with Harvard Medical School is conducting reviews of malpractice suits as well.
One example of improved policies occurred in San Diego. A hospital there looked at data examined by The Doctors Company dealing with lawsuits against emergency room physicians. Many of the malpractice cases had to do with people whose wounds had foreign bodies in them or were infected and, according to lawsuits, were not properly examined. This caused the hospital to change its policy on treating people who had puncture wounds from stingrays. While it previously had nurses or physician’s assistants treat such injuries, its revised policy specified that a doctor should examine a wound before it is stitched.
Unfortunately, medical malpractice may continue to occur. Doctor errors that do not result in a fatality might still seriously affect a person’s recovery and quality of life. Mistakes can range from errors in giving medication to leaving surgical sponges behind in a patient. When such errors occur, the patient may want to speak to an attorney in order to learn about the methods for seeking compensation that may be available.
