Decade after IOM report, avoidable errors still increasing, investigation finds

An investigation by Hearst Newspapers concludes that a decade after the landmark Institute of Medicine report “To Err is Human” produced a national movement aimed at examining system-level strategies for reducing avoidable medical errors, the mistake rate in the U.S. may actually be increasing (Source: “Dead by Mistake,” Houston Chronicle, Aug. 10, 2009).

The newspaper chain has created a Web site featuring a series of stories and interactive resources exploring medical errors nationally. The analysis found the medical community and governments have failed to take effective steps to reduce an estimated 98,000 deaths per year from preventable medical errors.

“We didn't have any government efforts. We didn't show leadership and take charge and do what needed to be done,” said Dr. Lucian Leape, one of the authors of “To Err is Human,” who is considered the father of the modern patient safety movement.