November 02, 2012 (Press-News.org) Many Americans Are Victims of Medical Mistakes
A recent survey shows that a surprising number of patients report experiencing medical mistakes after doctor visits. The Wolters Kluwer Health Survey reported that almost one in three U.S. patients say that they, themselves, or a close family member or friend fell victim to medical mistakes.
Most Common Medical Errors
The number-one most common medical error is the medication error. About 1.5 million people are injured every year from medication errors. Such an error can result from the doctor failing to pay attention to what medications the patient is already on, and giving him or her medications that should not be mixed. A drug mistake can also happen simply because the pharmacist cannot read messy handwriting on the script.
Hospital errors account for a large number of medical errors as well. These include falls, bed sores and infections. These symptoms happen when hospitals fail to give patients the care that they need. Family members can help greatly by watching for these problems at regular visits and making sure that their loved ones' needs are properly taken care of.
Medical errors can also result from poor communication between the doctor and the patient. Sometimes, patients (or even their doctors) do not receive test results or do not fully understand what they mean because physicians are not communicating effectively. About one-third of Americans believe that "miscommunication among hospital staff" leads to medical mistakes.
Surgical errors include both errors during surgical procedures and administrative errors outside of the operation that lead to surgical mistakes like operating on the wrong patient or on the wrong side or site. Other types of surgical mistakes include giving too much anesthesia or leaving a tool inside the patient's body.
High Levels of Concern Among Americans
The Wolters Kluwer Health Survey showed that 73 percent of Americans are concerned about medical errors. Over one in five people claim to have been misdiagnosed by doctors and about half have received incorrect bills. These are serious issues.
Some patients take matters into their own hands to counteract medical mistakes. For example, patients perform research on their own to make sure that what their doctors have suggested is correct or get second opinions from other medical professionals.
Patients need protection from medical errors that unfortunately happen all too often. Beyond receiving medical care to correct the error, a medical malpractice attorney can help the victim of a serious medical error recover his or her losses.
Article provided by Law Offices of Raymond J. Slomski, P.C.
Visit us at www.slomskilaw.com
Many Americans Are Victims of Medical Mistakes
About one-third of Americans report experiencing medical errors.
2012-11-02
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
The Consequences of Overworking Nurses Can Be Serious
2012-11-02
Patients in Arizona hospitals may face danger from an unexpected source, a new study shows. According to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing's Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, nurse burnout results in higher infection rates among patients.
The study surveyed over 7,000 hospital nurses, finding that more than one-third experienced high burnout levels associated with their jobs. The nurses responded to questions that measured emotional exhaustion, determined whether they found a sense of accomplishment in their work and assessed ...
Crowdfunding May Increase the Likelihood of Fraud
2012-11-02
On April 5, 2012, President Obama amended the federal securities laws when he signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act). The purpose of the JOBS Act is to help small businesses raise money in a bad economy. The provisions amended are referred to as the "crowdfunding" amendments and experts opine these amendments may increase the likelihood of securities fraud.
What is Crowdfunding?
Essentially, the JOBS Act will allow companies to engage in early-stage funding through previously prohibited public solicitations and without making certain onerous ...
The Spy Who Divorced Me
2012-11-02
Almost everyone is addicted to technology -- cellphones, tablets and many other computer-based devices. However, the next time you communicate over an electronic medium, know that someone may be recording your statements.
For example, one woman thought that her email, instant messaging and phone conversations were private and confined to the walls of her own home. Instead, a video camera tracked her movements, a microphone in the wall recorded sounds and sophisticated computer technology copied her emails and online conversations.
The secret recordings continued in ...
Presidential Directive Expands Whistleblower Protections
2012-11-02
President Obama has issued an administrative directive that will, for the first time, provide protection to intelligence agency employees for whistleblowing. Generally, federal employees have a legal right to "blow the whistle" on their employers or governmental agencies when employees are aware of wrongdoing. Most federal employees are protected from retaliation for blowing the whistle under the federal Whistleblower Protection Act.
A new bill, the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, has been making its way through Congress to expand whistleblower protections ...
Fifth Hearing on Securing the Future of SSDI
2012-11-02
The House Committee on Ways and Means held its fifth and last hearing on Securing the Future of the Social Security Disability Insurance Program. These hearings explored options for meeting the challenges that the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) faces today. The final hearing focused on the options available to meet fiscal as well as structural issues, with a strong focus on how to increase employment among disabled individuals.
Among those that testified were some who believed the program should be changed dramatically, some who cautioned not to ...
US Department of Justice to Focus on Banks' Money-Laundering Controls
2012-11-02
Nowadays, money laundering in the U.S. and internationally is often related to terroristic activity and illegal drug transactions. Now that the worst part of the financial-institution crisis seems to have passed, government regulators are turning their attention again to more traditional matters like oversight of the banking system's compliance with anti-money-laundering laws, regulations and requirements.
The federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has historically enforced money-laundering safeguards against banks, but the agency was criticized this past ...
OSHA Cites Contractor in Connection With Deadly New York Crane Accident
2012-11-02
New York City's skyline is defined by its skyscrapers. For decades, builders in New York have consistently outdone themselves by constructing buildings that reach heights previously thought unattainable. You can hardly walk down the street in the Big Apple without encountering wide-eyed tourists marveling at these pillars in the sky - although often to the chagrin of many hurried New Yorkers who share the sidewalks with these casual observers.
These model marvels do not come without costs however. The construction of New York skyscrapers is a complex, and often dangerous, ...
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents Deadly for Los Angeles Residents
2012-11-02
After driving down the streets of Los Angeles, it comes as no surprise that they are particularly dangerous for both pedestrians and bicyclists. A study recently released by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute has revealed that Los Angeles' roads are some of the most dangerous in the country for people traveling by foot and by bike.
According to the study, approximately 33 percent of people killed in traffic accidents in Los Angeles are pedestrians. While this rate seems high on its own, it is particularly shocking when compared to the national ...
Minnesota Workers' Compensation: Legal Steps After Denial of Benefits
2012-11-02
Workers who suffer injuries on the job in Minnesota often have plenty of questions about how to file a workers' comp claim. From reporting an injury to an employer to learning about a workers' right to medical treatment, a Minnesota workers' comp lawyer can explain all of the preliminary legal issues and help a client understand how to maximize work injury benefits.
If a worker learns that his or her application for benefits has been denied, a workers' compensation attorney can explain everything from legal timelines for appeal to a client's prospects for success. Because ...
Independent Contractor Misclassification Affects Eligibility for Work Comp Benefits
2012-11-02
After being injured on the job, the last thing you want to hear is that you are not covered for workers' compensation benefits. Many workers in Minnesota find themselves in such situations, though, when their employers consider them to be independent contractors rather than employees. At times, employers are inaccurate in their assessments, however, and improperly classify employees as independent contractors. When that is the case, it is critical for the worker to be aware of his or her rights to ensure proper classification and coverage for workers' compensation.
Independent ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
New technique detects genetic mutations in brain tumors during surgery within just 25 minutes
UMass Amherst researchers create nanoparticle vaccine that prevents cancer in mice
Animal behavior: Dogs pawsitively hooked on toys
The ISSCR launches roadmap for developing pluripotent stem cell-derived cellular therapies
Parasite paparazzi take millions of photos of secret malaria proteins
Lung cancer incidence after September 11, 2001, among World Trade Center responders
City of Hope Research Spotlight, September 2025
Streamlining the consciousness debate, from trees to hermit crabs
Polyherbal dietary supplement MD-1 ameliorates severity of type 2 diabetes mellitus in high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6J mice by attenuating adipose tissue inflammation
Long-term continuous monitoring of new-onset atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting
Emergency Medicaid spending for undocumented immigrants in the US
BfR Consumer Monitor: Not many people are concerned about raw milk
Lifelong companionship protects aging rat brains from cognitive decline
Discovery of binary stars the first step in creating "movie of the universe"
Diabetic teens with high blood sugar have higher neuropathy risk in adulthood
GLP-1s show promise in treating alcohol and drug addiction
Short inspirational videos as effective as meditation at reducing stress
New JNCCN study confirms it’s ‘never too late’ to see survival benefits from quitting smoking—even with late-stage cancer
Social and emotional learning programs linked to academic gains
It’s never too late for those with cancer to quit smoking
AIM-HI Accelerator Fund announces winners of the 2025 Venture Competition
American Society of Human Genetics to hold 2025 Annual Meeting next week in Boston
Newborn genomic screening enables more lifesaving diagnoses
AI tool offers deep insight into the immune system
A high-performance supercapacitor made from upcycled water bottles
Scientists propose 4 new uses for old veggies
Shedding light on the impact of the Bank of Japan’s exchange-traded fund purchase program
SeoulTech scientists develop AI-based patent abstract generator to discover and detail technology opportunities
Scientists fix genetic defect in mice tied to brain disorders that include autism and epilepsy
Body illusion helps unlock memories – new study
[Press-News.org] Many Americans Are Victims of Medical MistakesAbout one-third of Americans report experiencing medical errors.