The report draws on massive amounts of health insurance claims, studies on the frequency of errors that don’t show up in bills and a survey of 5,000 Massachusetts residents on their own experiences of medical injury, the largest statewide survey so far.
As a nurse, Mamouni knew the main danger for her mother was that fluid could build up in her lungs and throughout her body. So it was vital that she be weighed regularly — preferably every day — to see if fluid was accumulating. If it were, medicines could drain off excess fluid, ease breathing and lessen the burden on her heart.
At one point, Whitney began complaining of intestinal pain. But the problem wasn’t picked up until she ran a high fever — a sign of sepsis, or generalized infection. And that brings us to another important point in the new report. The 5,000 interviews the Betsy Lehman Center commissioned show that people who’ve suffered medical injuries, or are close to someone who has, experience long-term effects.
Dr. Thomas Gallagher of the University of Washington is a leading proponent of what he calls “disclosure and resolution” following medical harm. “We don’t do a good job in health care of responding to these events and communicating about them with patients,” he says. “And that just compounds their suffering.”
More than they realize, patients and those close to them can play an important role. Studies show they’re very good at spotting problems in their care, but often don’t speak up if something doesn’t seem right.
WBUR It would help if the Medical people were better educated in things other than stock aquisition. Some of the most ignorant people I ever met were medical pros, and I have diagnosed myself better on MANY occasions. Remeber this... someone had to graduate at the botom 10% too
WBUR Like going for a viewing operation, and comming out of OLVG EAST NETHERLANDS WITH A SHORTER LEG. They just cut 1 piece of from the inside. Tried 2 medicate it with morphine. Just get u so high, u dont protest. Than going to OLVG WEST AND ALMOST LOSE A FINGER, negligence
WBUR A terrible hospitalist tried sending my mom home too soon after a major operation due to her stage IV ovarian cancer. I told her we weren’t leaving until we felt comfortable with it since no home healthcare had been set up, several Doctors saying she wasn’t ready as she had too..
WBUR More people die from medical mistakes than anything else yet it's rarely mentioned .
WBUR My father got meds he should not have gotten. Took time from what he had left. B/c of his age they stalled me with support until he passed. I did get “our thoughts are with you” though. Special folks.