醫療差錯是美國的第三大死亡原因

Medical errors are third leading cause of death in U.S.

COLA, a national laboratory accreditor and advocate for quality in laboratory medicine and patient care, has recognized the findings of a Johns Hopkins study that concludes that if medical errors were tabulated similarly to diseases, they would rank as the third leading cause of death in the U.S. (with more than 250,000 deaths each year), behind only heart disease and cancer. The accreditor calls on the medical community to begin addressing the concerns raised by the study, while issuing a series of recommendations to help laboratories reduce the potential for medical errors.

The study indicates that most medical errors represent systemic problems that include the absence of safety nets and standard protocols, poorly coordinated care, and human error. The researchers conclude that shortcomings in the International Classification of Disease (ICD) coding system for cause of death have concealed the severity of the problem, and hinder the ability to both cultivate and fund system-wide solutions.

COLA has issued the following recommendations to help laboratories reduce the potential for medical errors, and help build a systemic solution that focuses on ensuring the best quality care for patients:

• Inter-professional Teamwork and Communication
• Laboratory Training and Education
• Transparency in Reporting
• Increased Research

All professionals should urge colleagues in government and the broader health care system to conduct further research into the extent of the problem posed by medical errors. COLA believes that increased research into the nearly 180,000, largely unregulated, Certificate of Waiver laboratory sites could provide valuable information to reduce medical errors and enhance patient safety.
 

鏈接: http://www.cola.org/4144-2/