Who or what could insure this DOESN'T happen in our HOSPITALS and CLINICS?!!!?

Question

Throughout these past few years I've been amazed at the medical errors, including the amputation of "good" limbs, operation on wrong organs, etc., and the alledged other medical mistakes which some say kill between 40 and 98,000 Americans each year!!!!

But this that I've just read makes my hair stand on end!

http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/313174.html

Answer 1

Perfection in any profession is difficult to achieve. I would like to say that all doctors are highly competent, never make mistakes, never get tired, never get overwhelmed.
How many people go to jail unjustly - or stay out of jail when they are guilty - because our legal system is not perfect?
Are all lawyers honest, compassionate, caring individuals constantly striving to do what's right?
How many politicians are above reproach - open, honest, and supremely competent?
How many contractors, insurance company execs, business execs - are unselfish and entirely free or wrong doing?

You may say that the medical profession should be held to a higher standard than lawyers, politicians, or businessmen
- - - and I'd agree wholeheartedly.
So what about our priests?

I'm not defending medical people who make mistakes.
I believe that most are doing the best they can, and a few
who are not so careful give the rest a bad name.

Answer 2

These days, we do a "Time Out" in the OR to insure that we have the correct patient for the correct surgery on the correct part of the body. Most places also have the patient or surgeon mark the operative site with a pen.

We actually do try to avoid making mistakes, but health care providers are human, and humans aren't perfect. Most hospitals put systems in to place so that there are several checks along the way where errors can be found before they hurt someone.

On the bright side, think of all the surgeries that go RIGHT. Millions and millions of them.

Answer 3

The mainland had a handful of fraudulent licensures back around twenty years ago, and the various states adjusted their licensure processes appropriately. Now, if I want to hire a doctor from a neighboring state for my hospital, I have to figure in at least four months' wait for licensure even when it's more than obvious the doctor's credentials are impeccable.
It's also painfully obvious that quality medical care is a finite quantity. There will always be some tension between getting enough doctors and making sure they're good enough.