Deaths Due To Medical Error

Medical errors are preventable mistakes in a patient's health care. In a study published in 2016, researchers have determined that medical error is "the third leading cause of death in the US" [1].

Number of Deaths in Leading Causes of Death

The top five leading causes of death in 2016 are as follows: 1. Heart Disease - 614,348 2. Cancer - 591,699 3. Medical Error - 251,454 4. Respiratory Disease - 147,101 5. Accidents = 136,053

[2]

In 2014, the top give leading causes of death were as follows: 1. Heart Disease - 614,348 2. Cancer 591,699 3. Respirator Disease - 147,101 4. Accidents - 136,053 5. Stroke - 133,103

[3]

Preventable with Improved EHR

The 2016 study shows that deaths due to medical error were not considered before then. Medical error is preventable, and making sure that all aspects of the EHR are easily accessible, understandable, and implementable by clinicians and other care givers by improved workflows, CPOE, deaths can be prevented.

References

1. BMJ 2016; 353 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i2139 (Published 03 May 2016) Cite this as: BMJ 2016;353:i2139

2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/05/03/researchers-medical-errors-now-third-leading-cause-of-death-in-united-states/

3. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm

Submitted by Anam Pasha

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