Regular readers of this blog are well aware that medical errors are an all too common occurrence in hospitals and other medical facilities throughout the nation. This is true in every state of the union including Pennsylvania. In an effort combat these often dangerous errors, new ideas are routinely suggested and attempted, some with greater success than others.
Of course to properly deal with a problem, it has to first be known that there is a problem. This provides the basis for the latest potential nationwide effort being made to combat medical errors. The Obama administration is seeking to put into place a reporting system that would make it easy for patients and other consumers to provided information regarding medical mistakes and other dangerous behaviors that are undertaken by medical providers.
The proposed questionnaire would inquire as to why an individual thinks the medical error occurred. It offers seven possible reasons to be selected from. In addition to being distributed at pharmacies, the forms would be made available to patients in doctors' offices and hospitals. Patients would also have access to the forms in their homes as insurers would mail them along with benefit information.
There are several things the government is seeking to learn about medical mistakes from the questionnaires including:
- Was the wrong procedure or test administered?
- Was surgery performed on a site other than where it was supposed to be?
- Was the diagnosis correct?
- Was the correct medicine administered?
- Was the dose correct and was there a reaction to a drug?
- Was there an issue with the anesthesia?
- Did infections or blood clots result?
- Was the care clean and sanitary?
The name of the individuals involved and location of the medical center would also be sought in the confidential questionnaire.
Many hospitals are supportive of the proposed federal pilot. What are your thoughts on the matter?
Source: New York Times, "New System for Patients to Report Medical Mistakes," Robert Pear, Sept. 22, 2012
Our Pennsylvania law firm handles medical malpractice cases, including those pertaining to the type discussed in today's post. Please visit our Pittsburgh hospital negligence page to learn more about us.