World Health Organization Declares Hospital Stays Riskier Than Flying
Recently, Sir Liam Donaldson – the World Health Organization’s Envoy for Patient Safety – issued the following medical error warning, “Medical errors and hospital-acquired infections injure more people each year than flying, but many aren’t aware of the risks.” In fact, the chances of dying from a medical error is a hospital anywhere in the world is about 1 in 300…[T]he risk a dying in a plane crash…about 1 in 10 million.”
Worldwide, medical errors and infection rates are as high as 16 percent. In the United States the risk is lower, but depends on the medical facility.
Often, it is simple errors that cause catastrophic injuries while hospitalized – such as the failure of medical staff to wash hands. The errors occur across the board. WHO notes, “The problem with hospital-acquired infections spans every level of economic development battling infections that are similar to those in less-developed areas of the world.” In fact, of every 100 patients hospitalized in a developed country, 7 will acquire at lease one health care-associated infection.
As San Francisco medical malpractice attorneys, we are hopeful that this report will raise awareness about patient safety and the epidemic of medical errors.
Although not every unfavorable outcome following medical treatment constitutes medical negligence, how do you know if you have been the victim of a medical error? Some questions to ask yourself include:
• Are your symptoms worse now, after treatment?
• Is what you’re experiencing commonly associated with the medical procedure you received?
• Is your doctor adequately explaining your symptoms?
If you do not receive good answers to these questions, or have concerns that you may have been the victim of medical malpractice, please contact our dedicated San Francisco personal injury attorneys for a confidential consultation.
