Medical errors reportedly are the third largest cause of death in the United States. According to a leading medical research organization, a diagnostic error is the one that should concern patients the most.
The ECRI Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on research to improve medical safety and patient care. Each year it publishes a list of the nation’s Top 10 patient concerns. It does this by collecting a myriad of data sources, including actual events in which a patient’s safety was endangered during treatment.
Sitting atop its list of Top 10 Patient Concerns for 2018 is ...
Federal statistics show that the number of people killed in crashes with large commercial trucks jumped another 5 percent.
In February the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration released its latest safety report on the nation’s large trucks. Large trucks are those that weigh more than 10,000 pounds. The report is for 2016.
Nearly 28 Percent Increase in Truck Accident Deaths
Unfortunately, this newest data reflect a steady upward trend of fatalities from big rig crashes. In 2016, 4,317 people died in trucking accidents, a 5 percent increase over 2015. From 2009 to ...
If all U.S. hospitals followed the same safety procedures as the nation’s elite healthcare facilities, more than 100,000 hospital patient deaths would be prevented each year. That’s the conclusion of a new study that named the nation’s top hospitals.
The Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals list was released in early March. It’s an annual study from IBM that identifies America’s best hospitals using a variety of public data.
Measures of Hospital Patient Safety
The metrics used in this study to locate the nation’s safest hospitals include:
· Patient survival rates - the top ...
We know about drunk drivers. We know about texting drivers. New evidence indicates there may be another group of drivers who cause a considerable number of serious accidents: tired drivers.
Tired Truck Drivers and Catastrophic Crashes
The dangers of fatigued truck drivers are well known. Studies show that driver error is the leading cause of motor vehicle crashes. Truckers who choose to on the road while fatigued are putting others at great risk. That’s why there are federal rules as to how many hours a week over-the-road truckers can drive.
But what about tired car drivers? It turns ...
The nation’s growing opioid abuse crisis has been well documented. As one response, the federal government recently published an educational guide for doctors on how to properly prescribe the powerful painkillers.
According to preliminary estimates, opioid overdoses may have killed well over 60,000 people in 2017. Medication errors are a leading type of serious and preventable medical mistakes. As the data suggest, when doctors aren’t careful in prescribing opioids, the results can be fatal for some patients.
In January, the Food and Drug Administration published what it ...
According to one measure, Missouri is just about the most dangerous state in which to drive.
WalletHub, a financial services website, recently rated all 50 states based on their respective driving conditions. Texas rated the best, Hawaii the worst. Missouri landed in the bottom half at 28. However, that doesn’t tell the whole story.
The ratings were based on scores the evaluators compiled in a number of categories. While the Show Me State rated highly in a few of them, it ranked low enough in two categories that relate to motor vehicle crashes to end up with the bottom-half finish.
Those who suffer from depression know just how damaging the condition can be in all aspects of daily life, from personal relationships to on-the-job performance. Burned out physicians are not spared these consequences. And many times neither are their patients.
A recent survey by Medscape, a leading online source of medical news and reporting, divulged an alarming number of physicians who report they are depressed or burned out. A little more than four out of every 10 doctors of the 15,543 surveyed said they were burned out. Another 15 percent said they suffered from depression ...
Among the federal government’s chief transportation safety concerns is the health of trucker drivers. What is being done – and what’s not being done – to help ensure that truckers who have medical issues are kept off the road?
The National Transportation Safety Board publishes an annual “Most Wanted List” of its top safety advocacy priorities. The NTSB’s Most Wanted List for 2017-2018 includes requiring the medical fitness of truck drivers and reducing fatigue-related truck crashes.
Tired Truck Drivers and Fatal Accidents
Over-the-road truck drivers generally ...
Only three U.S. states allow drivers to text and drive. Missouri is one of them.
Given all the information that shows just how dangerous distracted driving is, should the Show Me State take another look at its texting and driving laws?
Who Can Text and Drive in Missouri?
Not all drivers in Missouri are allowed to text and drive. Those 21 years old and younger cannot text while behind the wheel. But anyone 22 years and older in Missouri can legally text and drive. In Illinois it is against the law for any person of any age to use their cell phone for any reason while driving.
Commercial truckers of ...
According to media reports, four out of every 10 nursing homes across the country were charged with at least one serious patient care violation since 2013. Yet, the federal government recently announced its intention to lessen financial fines on facilities found to have committed potential nursing home patient neglect. Even when the negligent nursing home care resulted in a resident’s death.
The new diminished oversight policy toward nursing homes is in keeping with the federal administration’s view on regulating businesses: The less supervision the better.
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