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Study: 250,000 preventable deaths occurred in 2003-2005

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, April 11, 2007

A new HealthGrades study shows that there were 247,662 potentially preventable deaths in U.S. hospitals between 2003 and 2005, according to an April 2 article in The Kansas City Star. The numbers correspond with a 3% overall increase in medical errors.  

The study identified 1.16 million errors in the 40.56 million Medicare case records reviewed. The result was $8.6 billion in extra expenses for hospitals. Top-performing hospitals made an average of 40% fewer errors than the poorest performers. 

Postoperative sepsis and respiratory failure saw the biggest increases over the three-year period. Decubitus ulcers, postoperative respiratory failure, and failure to rescue had the highest incidence rates. 

To access the complete article, go to: www.kansascity.com/115/story/55980.html.

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