Harmful, sometimes fatal drug errors ...from the same people who offer you tort reform.
Posted: Wednesday, July 26th 2006
1.5 million people injured every year by drug errors. That’s hard to comprehend ...1.5 million people. That’s the approximate population of the State of Idaho. A few more people than live in the State of Hawaii.
In 1999 it was estimated that drug errors killed 7,000 people a year. Again, that’s hard to put into focus ...7,000 people killed by drug errors. A 747 airplane seats approximately 550 people. So the number of people killed by medication errors is about equal to twelve airplanes (747's) crashing and killing everyone on board.
This study did not include drug errors where the patient was to blame.
These drug errors occur when the patient is prescribed the right drug, but given a different drug or a dramatically wrong dose of the right drug. On average a hospitalized patient is subject to one medication error per day. Think about that. One error each day.
This study did not include drug errors where the patient was to blame.
A drug error, and the resulting treatment, added approximately $5,800 to the patient’s hospital bill. To its credit, MSNBC reported this story on 07/20/2006.
There are several solutions being considered, from giving doctors handwriting classes, to electronic prescriptions, to adding additional checks to the system.
Of course, it’s important to remember that if the hospitals get their way, the spouses and children of the 7,000 people killed annually won’t be able to have a jury hear their case, nor will those who have been seriously and permanently injured.
The courthouse doors will be closed by “tort reform”, which we all know means keeping working people from filing suit against powerful interests. No lawsuits means not money judgments against those who commit these deadly errors. The lack of money judgments likely means the lack of real motivation to change.
It would be great if corporate hospital chains made changes to protect patients because it’s the right thing to do, but don’t we know better? A corporation is a legal entity designed with one lawful goal-to make as much money as possible. To change a corporation’s behavior you must hit it where it feels pain. Unlike those who suffered from the results of the medication errors, corporations only feel pain in the bank account.