You may have heard the statistic once or twice before: Medical error is the third leading cause of death in the US.
1. Heart Disease
2. Cancer
3. Medical Error
Where does this come from? Well, this stat originated with a study named “To Err is human,” published in 2000, and the media ran with it.
A 2016 study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reaffirmed this, listing medical error as the number 3 killer. It puts the number of deaths at approximately 250,000 per year, trailing only heart disease and cancer, each with around 600,000 deaths, and surpassing respiratory disease, with around 150,000 deaths.
Out of the 70 studies analyzed covering 337,025 patients, it was found that the average preventable harm caused by doctors stands at 6%. Within that 6%, 12% of cases were severe or fatal to the patient. The largest contributors were drugs at 25% and other advanced specialties (intensive care and surgery) at 24%, compared to general hospitals.
However, these studies only looked at reported data, which suggests that these numbers are likely underreported. Given the history of the medical profession, it’s reasonable to assume that many errors go unreported due to reluctance to acknowledge mistakes.
A study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) pointed out that death certificates do not track medical errors and called for the CDC to overhaul the system to accommodate this. The CDC disputed this, claiming its approach aligns with international guidelines. However, the CDC doesn’t count medical errors even if listed on the death certificate, instead attributing the cause of death to whatever condition was being treated.
Dr. Martin Makary, the lead researcher, highlighted the discrepancy, stating, “You have this overappreciation and overestimate of things like cardiovascular disease, and a vast underrecognition of the place of medical care as the cause of death.” He emphasized the impact this has on national health priorities and research grants.
It’s important to note that this study has its critics. They argue that the data collected is limited to a few hospitals and may not accurately represent all hospitals nationwide. Additionally, different doctors faced with the same information may make different decisions, making it challenging to pinpoint whether a specific decision led to a patient’s death.
In essence, the need for accurate reporting, data collection, and action is crucial in addressing medical errors and preventing unnecessary deaths.