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By Scott Culver
Communications Specialist
WEA Trust
June 2005
More people in the United States die from medical errors than from car accidents, workplace accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS. Until recently, however, most Americans took the quality of health care for granted.
The landmark 1999 report “To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System,” propelled the issue of health care safety into the glare of public concern. Published by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the report revealed that each year 1 million unnecessary injuries occur, and as many as 98,000 people die because of preventable medical errors in U.S. hospitals.
The cost of medical error extends beyond lost lives and injury. The IOM report estimated the price tag for preventable medical errors that cause injury or death is between $17 billion and $29 billion. Health care costs represent more than half of this figure, which also includes lost income, lost household production, and disability.
The Trust is proactively addressing health care quality on behalf of our members. “The Trust is developing a number of initiatives to support members in obtaining safer, higher quality healthcare with better outcomes,” said Peg Smelser, chief operating officer of WEA Trust. “This is an important part of the Trust’s overall goal of helping members to be more informed health consumers.”
“We’re also committed to this effort because poor quality and safety increase the cost of health care in terms of dollars – 30% of direct health care costs are wasted because of poor-quality care – and quality of life. As a result, this initiative is integral to the Trust’s mission of ensuring financial security and reducing the cost of health care for our members,” said Smelser.
Steps to improve the quality of care you receive
Following are steps you can take as a member of your health care team:
Posted May 11, 2005