California senator calls on hospitals to address medical errors

Medical errors cause 325,000 patient deaths per year, according to a new report released April 25 by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). Responding to Boxer’s request for a single list of the most common medical errors, the Partnership for Patients last year compiled the most common errors: Adverse drug events, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associations bloodstream infections, injuries caused by falls/immobility, obstetrical adverse events, pressure ulcers, surgical site infections, blood clots, and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

 

In February, Boxer wrote to 283 California acute-care hospitals asking what they were doing to reduce the most common errors. Nearly 53% responded and said they’re taking at least some steps to reduce medical errors.

 

Read the report here to learn more about how respondents are addressing errors.