JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY:
Medical Errors Kill and Harm Hundreds of Thousands Every Year!
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Every year, millions of Americans place their trust in the healthcare system, expecting to receive safe and effective treatment. However, a disturbing reality lurks beneath the surface: medical errors and malpractice have become a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. This silent epidemic claims countless lives and highlights the urgent need for systemic changes in our healthcare practices.
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Recent studies have revealed the alarming scope of this problem:
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According to a Johns Hopkins study published in 2016, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming more than 250,000 lives annually.
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Some estimates suggest the number could be even higher, with up to 440,000 deaths per year attributed to preventable medical errors.
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To put this in perspective, medical errors cause more deaths than respiratory diseases, accidents, stroke, and Alzheimer's.
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Approximately 1 in 20 patients is exposed to preventable harm in medical care settings.
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Medication errors alone affect more than 7 million patients in the U.S. each year.
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Medical errors can take various forms, including:
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- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
- Surgical errors
- Medication mistakes
- Healthcare-associated infections
- Communication breakdowns between healthcare providers
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Be aware of your rights. If you or a loved one was harmed as a result of a medical error, contact Mark W. Smith & Associates PLC for help.
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