Yesterday while I was reading a United States publication on Root Cause Analysis from Systems Improvements Incorporated, I came across an interesting article dated March 18, 2014, entitled Fatal Decisions-Startling Statistics about Hospital Errors.As I read the article I was thinking these errors only occur in T&T and not in the developed countries. How wrong was I! If I am to go by the article, and I have no reason to doubt its findings, I will be mortally afraid to go to a hospital in the United States for any kind of medical attention.
My training as a health and safety professional supersedes my own fears as I know doctors are capable of doing great work while at the same time some are making fundamental medical errors in the treatment of their patients which can lead to severe and even fatal consequences.
The article below from Systems Improvements Inc highlights some of the fundamental medical issues in America today and also mirrors what we are experiencing as a developing nation in T&T. As you read the extract below you can draw your own conclusions as to the status of our healthcare system."People go to the hospital to overcome serious health issues, but sometimes this decision is fatal.
"Until recently, experts estimated that hospital errors caused 98,000 deaths per year in the United States (based on 1984 data). However, after evaluating updated data, The Journal of Patient Safety study found 210,000 'detectable' deaths per year. The number they eventually reported as an accurate estimate, 440,000 deaths per year, estimated that half or two-thirds of all such deaths are never counted.
"Not only are the number of deaths due to hospital error considerably higher than we once believed, but it's estimated that ten to 20 times that many people suffer nonlethal but serious harm as a result of hospital mistakes.
"Hospitals didn't begin tracking errors seriously until around 2000. After that, the federal government's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began collecting information on hospital quality, and since 2005, they've been posting information on the Web site Hospital Compare. Some states have also started Web sites reporting hospital errors."
I hope the extract from the article provides the catalyst for us to all strive for continual improvements in our health system and that the powers that be provide the required resources, training and equipment for our medical personnel to deliver world-class healthcare to our citizens.Anything less will not be acceptable as it can lead to fatal consequences for those whom we love.