California Sees Jump in Reported Hospital Errors in Recent Years
The number of reported hospital errors increased across California during the previous fiscal year, according to data from the state Department of Public Health, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.
The Business Journal obtained the data from a public record act request. Although a 2006 state law requires officials to publicly report hospital errors, DPH has yet to report the information to the state Legislature.
Error Incidents
For FY 2008-2009, California hospitals reported 1,538 serious and preventable events, up from the previous fiscal year when hospitals reported 1,224 errors.
State officials said the total number of incidents might decline if ongoing investigations determine that certain errors were unavoidable.
About 90% of the reported errors are currently under investigation (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 1/8).
Push for Fewer Errors
Health insurers and hospitals are working to reduce the incidence of preventable medical errors through new policies and procedures.
Medicare no longer pays for preventable medical errors, and many major health insurance companies have followed suit.
In addition, hospitals are enacting new safety protocols in an effort to prevent such events (Trujillo, "KXJZ News," Capital Public Radio, 1/11). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.