The good news: There’s been an unprecedented focus on patient safety in the past five years.
The bad news: Medical errors are the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S., responsible for as many as 98,000 deaths each year.
The better news: According to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), while many errors result from the complexity of health care systems, patients can protect themselves by taking control of their health care.
Medication, surgical and diagnostic errors are among the most prevalent and can largely be prevented through efforts from government agencies, purchasers of group health care, physicians and health care providers to make the system safer. While waiting for these large-scale, national changes, however, you can play an active role in protecting yourself against medical errors by taking control of your own health care and getting involved with every decision.
“Don’t assume everyone knows everything they need to about your health care,” says Dr. Boyd Lyles, director of HeartHealth and Wellness Center in Dallas. “Research and practical experience show that patients who...
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