Deadly medical mistakes on the increase

An important series highlighting the alarming increase in medical errors began yesterday in the Hearst newspapers including the Albany Times Union.  The story entitled, Dead By Mistake is an in depth look at preventable medical malpractice in the United States today.

According the to article, experts estimate that a staggering 98,000 people die from preventable medical errors each year. More Americans die each month of preventable medical injuries than died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

In addition, a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study concluded that 99,000 patients a year succumb to hospital-acquired infections. Almost all of those deaths, experts say, also are preventable.

These numbers are not absolutes. There is no definitive study -- which is part of the problem -- but all available research indicates that the death toll from preventable medical injuries approaches 200,000 per year in the United States.

Many of these medical errors lead to irreversible brain damage.  Medical errors causing brain injury are something that we are familiar with at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.  If you loved one or yourself is a victim of medical negligence we may be able to assist you.

Read the entire Dead by Mistake special report, with additional stories, photos, videos, maps and database of hospital errors.

Let's hope that the current discussion in Washington, DC concerning medical insurance reform includes proposals to deal with this health crisis in American hospitals.  Controlling health care costs must include controlling medical errors which increase the health care bill for all of us.