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What you can do to help protect yourself and your family from preventable medical error.

A recent study appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 18% of hospital patients suffered from an adverse event during their admission. Over 61% of these patient harms were caused by preventable medical error, many of them leading to additional hospitalization, permanent harm to the patient, or even death.

The study examined patients in 10 North Carolina Hospitals. “We chose North Carolina because of its high level of engagement in efforts to improve patient safety. In addition, the state has a reputation for being especially proactive regarding patient safety,” write the authors of the study.

And what did they find in this model state? “We found that harm resulting from medical care was common, with little evidence that the rate of harm had decreased substantially over a 6-year period.”

The study validates concerns of patient safety advocates that preventable medical error is all too common in this country. Few health care institutions have shown a consistent commitment to implementing more meaningful safety measures. “Physicians-in-training and nurses alike routinely work hours in excess of those proven to be safe,” states the study. “Compliance with even simple interventions such as hand washing is poor in many [health] centers.”

What can you do to help protect yourself and your family from preventable medical error? To a certain extent, medical mistakes that take place in hospitals are a result of poor patient safety procedures that are largely out of a your control. But there are some things you can do to avoid problems. Consider these and other strategies:

• • Discuss your health and any medical procedure you are undergoing in detail with your doctor. Ask plenty of questions about patient safety measures and be sure to fully and accurately communicate your health history.

• • Designate a close friend or family member to act as your advocate when you are undergoing surgery or other major procedure. The advocate should know the different medications you are taking, your allergies, medical history, eating habits, level of physical activity and other information that may be useful to the medical professionals handling your case.

• • Ask physicians to explain prescribed medications and their side effects, and have physicians write down dosage information, purpose and how often to take all prescribed drugs.

If you think you or someone you know is a victim of a medical mistake, consider contacting an experienced medical malpractice attorney who fights for patient safety and a safer health care system, one person at a time.

Source: Landrigan C, Parry G, Bones C, et al. Temporal Trends in Rates of Patient Harm Resulting from medical Care, New England Journal of Medicine, November 25, 2010.