Surgical Errors Costing $1.5 Billion Annually

Real Impact of Medical Errors Underestimated

According to a new study, potentially preventable medical errors are costing patients and health insurers dearly. One of every 10 patients who died within 90 days of surgery did so because of a preventable error. And one-third of those deaths occurred after the initial hospital discharge. The financial cost is close to $1.5 billion annually.

Based on a nationwide sample of more than 161,000 patients age 18 to 64 in employer-based health plans who underwent surgery between 2001 and 2002, the study also showed that nursing care associated with medical errors cost 33 percent more, metabolic problems 32 percent more, and vascular problems including blood clots cost 25 percent more.

The authors of the study conclude that studies that focus only on medical errors incurred during the initial hospital stay may underestimate the financial impact of patient safety events by up to 30 percent.

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Last updated on Jul-30-08

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