By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Obesity Explained
    December 2, 2011
    Why Pilot Programs are a Waste of Time and Money
    August 26, 2017
    Does Disclosure Work?
    January 4, 2012
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Addressing Medical Errors: Working to Improve Care and Reduce Costs
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > Addressing Medical Errors: Working to Improve Care and Reduce Costs
Hospital AdministrationPolicy & Law

Addressing Medical Errors: Working to Improve Care and Reduce Costs

Kevin Campbell
Kevin Campbell
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

In the last week there have been two articles written addressing medical errors. In the Wall Street Journal, surgeon Dr Marty Makary discusses the alarming costs of medical errors and offers suggestions to improve the system. In medicine, particularly during the training years of residency and fellowship, young doctors are not given the opportunity or security to report shortcomings of their superiors.

In the last week there have been two articles written addressing medical errors. In the Wall Street Journal, surgeon Dr Marty Makary discusses the alarming costs of medical errors and offers suggestions to improve the system. In medicine, particularly during the training years of residency and fellowship, young doctors are not given the opportunity or security to report shortcomings of their superiors. As discussed in the article, all of us have a memory of a particular surgeon or clinician who was not very proficient at his or her specialty but was allowed to continue practice due to perceived national or international academic prestige or reputation. (not to mention the dollars brought in to the University via grant funding, etc). Dr Makary offers up solutions that he believes will decrease error rates including: publishing hospital scorecards online, installing cameras for peer review, open notes and eliminating the culture of “gagging”.

As part of national training requirements, all teaching hospitals are required to have a regularly scheduled Morbidity and Mortality (M & M) conference for housestaff. These meetings typically consist of a case presentation by a trainee where the outcome of the hospitalization was suboptimal and the deficiencies in care are debated and discussed. The focus of the best conferences is always placed on the central question of “what could we have done differently to change the outcome?” Unfortunately, these conferences (although required attendance by the housestaff is standard) are not well attended by faculty. Much can be gained from actively discussing cases and learning from the experience of others. In practice, there are standardized peer review processes that are in place in hospitals today. These are very different from the M and M conferences from training. I have served on QI (or quality improvement) committees at numerous hospitals over the years. These committees are made up of very diverse specialists and primary care doctors. Unfortunately most of these committees stop short of dealing with real physician deficiencies. Often, letters are issued and cases are discussed with little or no penalty or constructive criticism provided. Most often, the QI committee responds to complaints about promptness and appropriateness of emergency on-call care–particularly after hours. Only once in my tenure on these committees has true competency and clinical skill been addressed. Many of the cases are brought to the committees attention by competing groups and the motivation for the reports can be called into question. Much of what these committees do is done so that the hospital can remain accredited and remain in compliance with government regulations.

In reality, physicians need to work together to improve care and reduce errors. Government regulation as suggested by the Obama administration’s creation of an error-reporting system for consumers and reported on in an article in the New York Times is NOT the answer. Many consumers may interpret poor outcomes as errors in care when in fact no error occurred. Many times, disease may “defeat” even the most skilled physicians. A national “reporting system” as described in the Times, may ultimately lead to increased liability concerns for both hospital systems and physicians alike. Certainly, lapses in care and medical errors must be tracked and addressed in order to save lives, health care dollars and improve overall quality. However, the practice of medicine is an honorable profession with a long tradition of excellence in the US. Most physicians see the practice of medicine as a privilege. As such, we must all take responsibility to maintain high quality care throughout our profession. Thorough, unbiased evaluations of care need to be undertaken in both teaching and non-teaching hospitals if we are to impact medical error rates and reduce healthcare costs. Dr Makary has several important suggestions–we must continue to hold medical professionals to high standards of care. Transparency of care and physician decision making is a must. Video critiques can serve as a great learning tool. As we did in the M &M conferences in residency, we must continue to discuss cases formally with colleagues and both give and receive feedback and constructive criticism. All physicians, no matter how well funded or respected, must be held accountable for the care that they provide. By working together as a team, we can all reduce errors and improve care. Ultimately, both patients and doctors will benefit.

 

 

TAGGED:medical errors
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

technology in medical research
The Tools Helping Medical Researchers See the Full Picture
News Technology
August 3, 2025
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
Health
July 31, 2025
holistic dental
Holistic Dentist Services Are Natural and Safe
Dental health Specialties
July 28, 2025
botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025

You Might also Like

The Divide in the ACO Debate – Beltway Rhetoric versus Marketplace Cynicism

February 3, 2012
ppe equipment for homecare workers
Health careHospital AdministrationPolicy & Law

4 Essential PPE Items for Home Care Workers

January 12, 2022

Why Doctors Need to Hear Patient Gripes and Complaints

August 17, 2015

Minnesota Announces New Strategies Dealing with Opioid Abuse

September 15, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?