According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, medical errors are one of the leading causes of death and injury in America. The Institute of Medicine estimates that about 44,000 to 98,000 people die annually in U.S. hospitals because of medical errors, many of which are preventable.<\/p>\n
Medical errors are adverse events that cause unintended negative outcomes for patients, such as when the wrong treatment is administered. Medical errors can occur at many treatment points, including:<\/p>\n
Medical errors range in severity, from drawing too little blood to performing surgery on the wrong body part. Ideally, patients shouldn’t have to worry about medical errors when entrusting their care to medical professionals. With the high rate of errors and potential for serious consequences, however, patients should take steps to minimize their risk.<\/p>\n