Preventable Medical Errors Kill Americans At An Alarming Rate

There is an epidemic that is killing almost half-a-million Americas and injuring millions of others every year. This epidemic is as bad as the top two killers of Americans, cancer and heart disease (each claiming over 550,000 lives each year), and is far worse than accidents (claiming over 120,000 lives each year). What makes this epidemic more tragic than the most common causes of death in the U.S. is that these deaths are 100% preventable. Preventable medical errors kill Americans at an alarming rate. Preventable medical errors kill and injure Americans at an alarming rate. A recent study printed in the Journal of Patient Safety, as reported by Scientific American, reports that “the true number of premature deaths associated with preventable harm to patients was estimated at more than 400,000 per year. Serious harm seems to be 10- to 20-fold more common than lethal harm.” This is a problem of epidemic proportions that must be fixed.

Legislatures Don’t Care About Medical Errors

When was the last time you heard politicians or lobbyists address how to prevent medical errors? Probably never. Rather than publicly address ways to make health care safer, they pollute the airwaves with stories about “defensive medicine” and increased costs associated with “frivolous lawsuits.” They suggest that doctors are afraid of lawsuits so they order more tests; however, the practical difference is looking for the problem versus taking a wait-and-see approach. Do you want your cancer diagnosed now or later?

Americans are led to believe that medical negligence suits are an epidemic. However, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the total amount of money spent defending claims and compensating victims of medical negligence in 2010 was $5.8 billion, or just 0.3 percent of the $2.6 trillion spent on health care in the U.S. that same year. Moreover, if hospitals were practicing defensive medicine, then why do over 400,000 Americans die from preventable medical errors in hospitals every year?

Every 1 minute and 15 seconds someone’s mother, father, spouse, sibling, grandparent, or child needlessly dies in the hospital because of a medical error. In that same amount of time, 10 to 20 other hospital patients are being injured. Frighteningly, these statistics do not include victims where medical negligence occurs outside the hospital.

The epidemic of patient harm in hospitals must be taken more seriously if it is to be curtailed. This is a pervasive problem that should demand decisive action on the part of providers, legislators, and people who will one day become patients.  Yet, the action and progress on patient safety is frustratingly slow.

Example of Young Woman Victimized by Hospital System

The following case demonstrates how an innocent young woman, injured by improper care, was victimized by a hospital system that failed her.

A 26-year-old woman entered a Phoenix-Area Hospital for the removal of an ovarian cyst. The surgery was completed without complication; however, after entering the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), she had an adverse effect from the anesthesia that caused her to breathe less efficiently. The anesthesiologist provided Narcan, a medication that blocks the effects of anesthesia and narcotic medications. Her respiratory drive and vital signs returned to acceptable levels.

While still under the influence of Narcan, the PACU nurse continued to administer narcotic medications—based on the orders the anesthesiologist wrote before the patient ever experienced breathing problems. The orders were never changed and the nurse never questioned whether it was appropriate to continue giving the patient medications that could cause breathing problems. Neither provider had significant experience with using Narcan in this setting.

The problem for the patient is that as the Narcan wears off the narcotic medications are able to overwhelm the body, causing deeper sedation and stopping the patient from breathing. In a groggy state, only 90 minutes after entering the PACU, the PACU nurse sent the patient home with her husband. The PACU nurse never told the husband about the event that necessitated Narcan, and never warned the husband about the potential adverse effects of the narcotic medications she administered.

The patient’s husband brought her home and settled her into bed to rest, not knowing that she would never wake up. Her death could have been prevented if any one of the health care providers took steps to monitor her condition for longer than 90 minutes. They assumed she would be fine.

Sadly, no one has stepped up and admitted to their mistakes. Instead, the health care providers argue that the husband is to blame because he should never have left her side once they arrived at home.

If you or a loved one was injured by negligent medical care, contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer for a free consultation to see if you can avoid being victimized.

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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