Johns Hopkins Surgeon Sheds Light on Medical Errors

Most people would consider it a freak accident for a surgeon to leave a surgical instrument in patient’s body or to operate on the wrong body part. But as Seattle medical malpractice attorneys know, such medical mistakes occur far too often for comfort. A cancer surgeon at Johns Hopkins confirms the high frequency of such medical errors in a new book.

The book by Marty Makary is titled “Unaccountable: What Hospitals Won’t Tell You and How Transparency Can Revolutionize Healthcare.” In it, Makary makes a clear case for greater discussion and transparency in the reporting of medical errors and expanded access to information about hospital error rates.

According to Makary, the biggest step forward would be to force hospitals to make all their error and infection data openly and freely accessible to the public. That would help patients make a well-informed choice when they are looking for a doctor or a surgeon.

While some states do require that hospitals post some of their data online, the requirements are far from stringent and provide very little information about the number of medical errors and preventable deaths in the hospital or a particular doctor’s record of errors.

According to the book, the lack of such information is one of the greatest impediments to revolutionizing healthcare and making it safer for all.

Makary also calls for doctors to share their notes with their patients and allow video recordings of surgeries. Gag orders that prohibit patients from discussing medical malpractice settlements need to go, he says.

If you have suffered an injury because a medical provider made an error in your care, consult a Seattle medical malpractice attorney at Morrow Kidman Tinker Macey-Cushman, PLLC. We represent clients of all ages who have been victims of medical negligence. Call us today at (206) 752-4366 or use our online contact form.