Hospital Errors 3rd Leading Cause of Death

[sapphire18]

http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/hospital-medical-errors-third-leading-cause-death-dispute-to-err-is-human-report/2013-09-20#ixzz2fe8EZ44D

A new study has come out ranking medical errors in healthcare facilities as the 3rd leading cause of death in the US, behind only heart disease and cancer. What do you all think? I personally find it interesting that the author of this study started a patient safety advocacy group after his 19-year-old son's death was attributed to a medical error. Biased much?

[MunoRN, RN]

You completely missed my point. For example, one of those patients I note above might just get a central line placement, develop an infection and be counted among your holocaust statistics. Then you would claim they were one of the deaths caused by "central line infection alone."

That's bogus.

I clearly am missing more point, are you saying that it shouldn't count if we kill someone with a central line infection, since everyone at some point will die anyway?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I clearly am missing more point, are you saying that it shouldn't count if we kill someone with a central line infection, since everyone at some point will die anyway?

Yes, I believe you are missing the point.

[MunoRN, RN]

Yes, I believe you are missing the point.

Because the point is....

[HappyPepper]

Because the point is....

LOL I think he's saying that it's bogus if it's counted as medical error due to central line infection just because the patient happened to develop random infection, say UTI, right after placing a central line.

Although... I have to say, we probably know enough to distinguish CLABSI from other infections. Surgical infections, wound infections, etc, for that matter. That's the point of doing cultures from various sites after all, isn't it? To find out the source of infection. If it turns out to be a CLABSI, or SSI, they are indeed medical error.

[MunoRN, RN]

LOL I think he's saying that it's bogus if it's counted as medical error due to central line infection just because the patient happened to develop random infection, say UTI, right after placing a central line.

Although... I have to say, we probably know enough to distinguish CLABSI from other infections. Surgical infections, wound infections, etc, for that matter. That's the point of doing cultures from various sites after all, isn't it? To find out the source of infection. If it turns out to be a CLABSI, or SSI, they are indeed medical error.

If that where the skepticism comes from then yes, you are correct, we don't count an infection as a central line infection just because a patient has a central line and an infection.

The definition of a CLASBI is fairly strict, and CLASBIs are self reported by Hospitals, so if anything the CLASBI rate is likely under reported, not over reported.

In order for a blood stream infection to meet parameters for a CLASBI, other sources have to ruled out, and the central line has to be proven to be the source based on not only a positive culture from the line but also a higher concentration or faster time to positivity of the bacteria in the line. Just like in court, if there is any reasonable doubt, it typically doesn't get reported.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

"Biased much" at the end your post indicates bias on your end.

In Hospital Deaths from Medical Errors at 195,000 per Year USA

This is the REPORTED deaths. It could be several times that rate.

In my 30 years of nursing ,I've seen it many times.. my father's death included.

[MunoRN, RN]

And sorry, I just noticed my autocorrect has changed all CLABSI to CLASBI

[youngheartoldhead]

I have no doubt that number is much higher. the veterans administration alone kills about half of that amount a year. If they included dialysis centers and nursing homes......the numbers would blow our wigs off.

[0.adamantite]

Hospitals are very dangerous places to be. I tell everyone I know that if they are hospitalized, have a family member or advocate there for them all at times.

[HM-8404, BSN, RN]

I started reading this tread to see what those in the medical community would be suggesting needs to be done to prevent many of these deaths since they are occurring in your "place of business." The more I read the more perplexed I became. The same group of people that are all for revoking the 2nd amendment because criminals use guns to kill tens of thousands a year in our country will make excuses for and deny the fact that hundreds of thousands are killed each year by their own peers (medical professionals) due to sloppy work. Are the lives of the sick entrusted to your care less deserving than those gunshot victims?

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I started reading this tread to see what those in the medical community would be suggesting needs to be done to prevent many of these deaths since they are occurring in your "place of business." The more I read the more perplexed I became. The same group of people that are all for revoking the 2nd amendment because criminals use guns to kill tens of thousands a year in our country will make excuses for and deny the fact that hundreds of thousands are killed each year by their own peers (medical professionals) due to sloppy work. Are the lives of the sick entrusted to your care less deserving than those gunshot victims?

Well one way to stop some errors would be for facilities to staff safely. Another is to train staff well, especially newbies.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

Lower ratios for nurse.. most of the nurses are new and inexperienced Also the doctors are worked to the bone too. An intern cross covering 80pts who are all acutely ill is a recipe for disaster! so much to do and barely any time to THINK. i hate that part of the job. people act and think my priority is to get them graham crackers or chairs for the visitors. no it is not. i need time to do a safe med pass and think about pt's condition, assessment etc. not be interupted for stupid things. if i say this i get accused of thinking these tasks are beneath me...