Deaths Related to Medical Error Rise

A breakthrough study concerning medical error-related deaths in hospitals was published in 1999 by the Institute of Medicine. In the study, it was found that between 44,000 and 98,000 patients died every year in preventable deaths due to these types of errors. Such errors include improper transfusions, wrong-site surgery, other surgical errors, postoperative sepsis (blood poisoning), postoperative pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), medication errors, and more. Since that study, the Department of Health and Human Services has stated that the statistics reported in the 1999 study have not improved in the following decade. In 2006, the National Academy of Sciences declared that 1.5 million individuals are injured by medical errors every year, costing billions of dollars.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) keeps tabs on reports of adverse events connected with prescription drug usage. In the year 2000, the adverse events report totaled more than 266,000. In 2010, the number had almost tripled to more than 758,000. Medication errors can include errors in dosage, an incorrect drug for the patient involved, errors in frequency of dosage, duplicate drugs, interactions between various drugs given the same patient, using the wrong method or route of drug delivery, and more. Medication errors are another form of medical negligence.

Harmed through medical error? Talk to a Mesa Medical Malpractice Lawyer

In Mesa, Arizona if you or someone you know has sustained an adverse medical condition due to medical error or medication mistakes, getting experienced legal counsel is advised. You may be entitled to financial compensation for the damages connected with such a preventable event. Failure to diagnose, wrong diagnosis, birth injuries, or any other form of medical negligence can form the basis of an injury claim or lawsuit. At the Knowles Law Firm, you will find a Mesa personal injury attorney with the experience, skills, and resources to help you in ascertaining, documenting, and preparing a medical negligence case. The firm’s legal team has proven results in pursuing justice on behalf of injured clients in Arizona.

Contact a Mesa medical malpractice attorney to learn about your legal rights and options today.