A recent medical malpractice study has released some shocking statistics. It has been found that 80% of medical malpractice deaths are as a result of complications or inaccurate medicinal dosage in these top 7 emergency procedures:
Top 7 Procedures Resulting in Medical Malpractice
- Removing part of the colon
- Small intestine resection
- Gallbladder removal
- Peptic ulcer surgeries
- Removing abdominal adhesions
- Appendectomies
These procedures may account for the 80% of medical malpractice deaths, but that number is possibly inaccurate due to the fact that reporting of these medical errors is not mandated. Experts at Johns Hopkins think that medical errors should be handled the way the FAA handles a plane crash. The errors are reported widely and used in field studies to improve future mistakes that could cause fatalities. Many medical malpractice experts believe that systemic failures in hospitals is the biggest culprit in medical malpractice. It’s difficult to know what to look out for when information that could be shared to save lives is hidden so well.
Medical malpractice is now being reported as the 3rd highest cause of death in the United States. The only other causes of death that eclipse medical malpractice are Heart Disease and Cancer. This is simply unacceptable. In 1999, an Institute of Medicine Report called 98,000 medical malpractice deaths “an epidemic.” Little has been done in the way of federal oversight and reporting nearly 20 years later.
Reporting to the CDC is not a mandate. Medical providers and pharmaceutical companies often cite “trade secret” as their reason for not divulging important information about medical errors. The fact that no universal standard exists in the medical field likely accounts for a majority of the 251,000 people who died as a result of medical malpractice last year. It is believed that another 1 million+ people are injured due to medical malpractice each year. None of these are reported to the CDC.
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Our firm has represented people affected by medical malpractice errors for over 25 years. We hope for the day when these senseless medical malpractice errors no longer exist. Rest assured that if something like this happens to you or a loved one, we will be there fighting for your rights.
Were you or a loved one affected by medical malpractice?
Call us today at 314-862-7222
