Medical Errors Cost Lives, Money
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:
- Talk to your doctor, nurse, and other health care workers. Ask
questions, particularly if you don’t understand something, or
have doubts or concerns.
- Bring a friend or family member along to help you ask questions,
record information and advocate for you, if needed.
- Maintain an up-to-date list of all your medications, including
vitamins and supplements, and take it to your hospital and doctor
appointments.
- Get the results of any test or procedure you undergo – and
understand what they mean.
- Always check the label on your prescriptions before you take them.
- Talk to your doctor about which hospital is best for your health
needs.
- Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery or
any other medical procedure.
- When hospitalized, make sure your medical practitioner checks your
bar-code bracelet before giving you medication.
Posted May 11, 2005