Chronically Ill Children at Greater Risk of Medical Errors

Children are some of the biggest victims of medical errors in American hospitals, with approximately 3 percent of hospitalized children suffering the effects of medical errors every year. However, children who suffer from chronic illnesses are more likely to be affected by medical mistakes.

Researchers at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio recently analyzed data from a government database. The data involved children who had been hospitalized in 38 states. Of these children, 44 percent suffered from at least one chronic medical condition like asthma, diabetes, cancer or a digestive problem.

The researchers found that children who did not suffer from a chronic illness had a medical error rate of about 1.3 percent. However, among children who had a chronic illness, the medical error rate was close 5 percent.

Pediatricians believe that the reason why children who have chronic illnesses are much more likely to suffer from medical errors is simple. These children are likely to spend more time in the hospital. Additionally, these children may have complicated medical conditions, and this increases the risk of errors.

Parents Can Help Reduce Risks of Error

Our Seattle medical malpractice lawyers believe that it’s important for everyone in the hospital, including doctors, nurses, as well as patients and caregivers to understand that there’s a much higher risk of medical errors when a child is suffering from a chronic illness. That means that strategies to mitigate the risk of medical errors must be developed and implemented at every level of the child’s care.

Parents can help reduce the risk of errors by making sure that all medical personnel, including pediatricians and nurses, are on the same page about the child’s health. Make sure that the doctors have all the information they need about any medications that the child is taking, including over-the-counter medications.