Study: Many Patients Face Harm From Hospital Errors
Despite nationwide efforts to improve patient safety in hospitals, nearly 20% of patients continue to be harmed by their care, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers analyzed 2,341 hospital admissions and identified 588 incidents of harm involving 423 patients. Two-thirds of the complications were considered preventable by hospital reviewers.
- "Study Finds No Progress in Safety at Hospitals" (Grady, New York Times, 11/24).
- "Medical Injuries Harm 18% of Hospital Patients in N.C., Researchers Find" (Olmos, Bloomberg, 11/24).
- "Harm in Hospitals Still Common for Patients" (Gottlieb, Reuters, 11/25).