Patient Safety Still Problematic 20 Years After ‘To Err Is Human’ Report

HealthLeaders Media November 27, 2019
Christopher Cheney

There have been leaps forward in patient safety over the past 20 years but harm remains far too common, two experts say.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

In 1999, the landmark report To Err Is Human estimated that as many as 98,000 patients died annually from medical errors.

Despite publication of To Err Is Human, estimates of deaths from medical errors have increased. In 2013, an article published in the Journal of Patient Safety estimated annual patient deaths from medical errors were as high as 440,000.

High reliability in the commercial aviation industry provides guideposts for the healthcare industry to follow to achieve zero harm.

Progress has been made in patient safety improvements but many more advances are needed, a pair of experts...

Today's Sponsors

Today's Sponsor