While people are discussing the topic of medical errors, here is a big question to add to the conversation. If a physician mistakes ALS for something else, is that reported as a medical error, or is it dismissed as "no harm, no foul" since there is no cure or effective treatment for ALS anyway?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
No Harm, No Foul?
Medical errors are a hot topic in the media and in the healthcare reform discussions. According to the Wall Street Journal (August 25), up to 98,000 deaths each year are thought to be attributable to medical errors. There is additional expensive waste in our healthcare delivery whenever an avoidable infection is acquired or a test is administered incorrectly.
While people are discussing the topic of medical errors, here is a big question to add to the conversation. If a physician mistakes ALS for something else, is that reported as a medical error, or is it dismissed as "no harm, no foul" since there is no cure or effective treatment for ALS anyway?
While people are discussing the topic of medical errors, here is a big question to add to the conversation. If a physician mistakes ALS for something else, is that reported as a medical error, or is it dismissed as "no harm, no foul" since there is no cure or effective treatment for ALS anyway?
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