CMR

Hospitals Begin To Report “Adverse Events”

Los Angeles-The self disclosure by a number of hospitals in California has begun, and it is not a pretty sight.

Over a 10 month period that ended in May 2008, doctors performed the wrong surgery, operated on the wrong part, or on the wrong patient 41 different times.

Foreign objects were reported left inside of patients after surgery 145 times.

There are 28 different types of dangerous mistakes that under California and Federal law must be reported to state regulators, including such errors as medication errors and attempts at suicide by patients.

Overall, 1002 cases of serious medical harm has been reported by hospitals statewide, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The new state law that was passed in California mandates that all hospitals have to report to state officials and the public all injuries and substantial errors that are committed against patients.

The public reporting requirement is meant to create transparency and to force hospitals into greater compliance by publishing their errors so the public is able to be informed and to help provide pressure for hospitals to shape up.

Hospitals are becoming safer all the time and this new reporting requirement is thought to keep the pressure on hospitals to eradicate preventable errors.