Thursday, August 5, 2010

More people die of medical error than road accidents

More people die of medical error than road accidents

Can you imagine even in your wildest drems that almost one million people die of medical errors every year all over the world? This is the shocking report of the Institute of Medicine. This means that more people die from medical errors than from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer or AIDS. Government agencies, purchasers of group health care, and health care providers work together to make the health care system safer for patients and the public. But, finally, it is up to you not to be part of the horror story doing the rounds.

Such errors can happen during even the most routine tasks, such as when a hospital patient on a salt-free diet is given a high-salt meal. Most errors result from problems created by today’s complex health care system. But errors also happen when doctors and their patients have problems communicating.

According to eminent Medical journalist Sujata Shakeel, " this is shocking to say the least that medical errors are causing so much deaths.It is wake call for medical fertinity. They must rise equal to the occassion to prevent these deaths."

The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team. That means taking part in every decision about your healthcare. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results. Some specific tips, based on the latest scientific evidence about what works best, follow.

Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs. At least once a year, bring all of your medicines and supplements with you to your doctor. “Brown bagging” your medicines can help you and your doctor talk about them and find out if there are any problems. It can also help your doctor keep your records up to date, which can help you get better quality care.

According to report, make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines. This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you.When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it. If you can’t read your doctor’s handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either. Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand—both when your medicines are prescribed and when you receive them. · What is the medicine for? How am I supposed to take it, and for how long? What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur?

What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine? When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask: Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed? A study by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found that 88 percent of medicine errors involved the wrong drug or the wrong dose.

If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask. Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if “four doses daily” means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours. Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure how to use it. Research shows that many people do not understand the right way to measure liquid medicines. 9.

Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause. If you know what might happen, you will be better prepared if it does—or, if something unexpected happens instead. That way, you can report the problem right away and get help before it gets worse. If you have a choice, choose a hospital at which many patients have the procedure or surgery you need. Research shows that patients tend to have better results when they are treated in hospitals that have a great deal of experience with their condition.

According to Delhi based Dr RK Caroli,if you are in a hospital, consider asking all healthcare workers who have direct contact with you whether they have washed their hands. Hand washing is an important way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. Yet, it is not done regularly or thoroughly enough. A recent study found that when patients checked whether health care workers washed their hands, the workers washed their hands more often and used more soap. When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will use at home.

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