Medical Errors 3rd Leading Cause of Death

Medical Errors:

3rd Leading Cause of Death

Medical errors are the 3rd leading cause of death in the US. Medical
mistakes result in deaths of 250,000.  Is this true? What can you do to protect yourself and your family?

Even scarier is that the some experts believe the number could be significantly higher — 

as high as 440,000 deaths per year!

Can Medical Mistakes Really Cause over 250,000 Deaths per Year?

The medical system has known about these problems for a long time but doctors and hospitals have struggled to accept the reality of these studies. 

The most recent study was done in 2016 by Johns Hopkins surgeon Dr. Martin Makary and published in the British Medical Journal. In this large study,  Dr. Makary determined that  251,454 deaths occur each year as a result of medical errors.

One of the first major studies, in 1999, estimated 44,000 to 98,000 deaths per year.

US Department of Health and Human Services OIG reported in Nov 2010 that 180,000 deaths due to medical error just in the Medicare insured people.

Then, in a 2011 article in Health Affairs, titled “Adverse Events in Hospitals May be 10 Times Greater Than Previously Measured,” the authors proposed over 400,000 preventable deaths per year may be attributed to medical mistakes.

What Can YOU Do to Protect Yourself?

“Unfortunately, we live in a world where you, or a relative really needs to be on point. Ask questions, be assertive and don’t be afraid of either hurting someone’s feelings or looking ‘stupid’. It’s your health and it’s your life,” according to Dr. Michael Freedman of Evolve Medical Clinics. 

The US Dept of Health and Human Services has compiled a list of suggestions that are very helpful.

Medication Mistakes

1. Make sure that all of your doctors know about every medicine you are taking–including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbs.
2. Bring all of your medicines and supplements to your doctor visits.
3. Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.
4. When your doctor writes a prescription for you, make sure you can read it. Ideally, ask for electronic prescriptions to minimize this common mistake.
5. Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand—both when your medicines are prescribed and when you get them:
   1. What is the medicine for?
   2. How am I supposed to take it and for how long?
   3. What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur?
   4. Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?
   5. What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
6. When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask: Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed?
7. If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask.
8. Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine.
   1. Many people use household teaspoons, which often do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid. Special devices, like marked syringes, help people measure the right dose.
9. Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause.

What to Do in Hospitals

1. If you are in a hospital, consider asking all health care workers who will touch you whether they have washed their hands. Handwashing can prevent the spread of infections in hospitals.
2. When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will follow at home.
   1. This includes learning about your new medicines, making sure you know when to schedule follow-up appointments, and finding out when you can get back to your regular activities.
   2. It is important to know whether or not you should keep taking the medicines you were taking before your hospital stay. Getting clear instructions may help prevent an unexpected return trip to the hospital.

Avoiding Mistakes During Surgery

1. If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done.
2. Having surgery at the wrong site is rare. But even once is too often. The good news is that wrong-site surgery is 100 percent preventable. Surgeons are expected to sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery.
3. If you have a choice, choose a hospital where many patients have had the procedure or surgery you need. Remember–the more frequently they do the surgery, the better job they will do. Ask!

Other Steps

1. Speak up if you have questions or concerns. You have a right to question anyone who is involved with your care.
2. Make sure that someone, such as your primary care doctor, coordinates your care. This is especially important if you have many health problems or are in the hospital.
3. Make sure that all your doctors have your important health information.
4. Do not assume that everyone has all the information they need.
5. Ask a family member or friend to go to appointments with you. Even if you do not need help now, you might need it later.
6. Know that “more” is not always better.
7. It is a good idea to find out why a test or treatment is needed and how it can help you. You could be better off without it.
8. If you have a test, NEVER assume that no news is good news.
   1. Ask how and when you will get the results.
9. Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your doctor and nurse and by using other reliable sources.
10. Treatment options based on the latest scientific evidence are available from the Effective Health Care Web site.
11. Ask your doctor if your treatment is based on the latest evidence.

Is the System Corrupt?

Not at all.

“Doctors are human and they are going to make mistakes, but the system shouldn’t continue to perpetuate them,” according to Dr. Martin Makary. “I think doctors and nurses and other medical professionals are the heroes of the patient safety movement and come up with creative innovations to fix the problems,” he said. “But they need the support from the system to solve these problems and to help us help improve the quality of care.”

One solution to the rushed system of care that is emerging is Direct Primary Care. Doctors who have switched to DPC feel the healthcare system, as the 3rd cause of death in the US, is simply unacceptable. Major changes are needed that may take  years or even decades.

Rushed, burnt out providers just can’t do everything. They are totally overwhelmed and drowning in a sea of insurance and Medicare requirements. People are getting older and problems are more complex. There’s just no way the docs can shoehorn in everything in a 10-12 minute appointment and still get it right.

In Annapolis, Maryland, Dr. Freedman founded Evolve Medical as a solution to the problem of medical errors.

“Primary Care just can’t be rushed in the way we’ve been doing it for years. 80-85% of all medical care is from your Primary Care. With this new medical model (Direct Primary Care), doctors spend substantially more time and resources. This effort helps not only diagnosing and treating people — but also making sure that this dangerous and critical machine called health care doesn’t do more harm than good.”

If you are interested in Direct Primary Care, Evolve Medical is located in Annapolis and they are happy to see you for a consultation by scheduling on-line or calling 844-322-4222.

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