To Err Is Human (report)

To Err Is Human is a report published by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in November 1999. The report, which highlighted the prevalence of medical errors and their impact on patient safety, has been influential in shaping the field of patient safety and health care quality.

Overview

The report To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System was a landmark publication that brought significant attention to the issue of medical errors and patient safety. The report estimated that between 44,000 and 98,000 people die in hospitals each year as a result of medical errors that could have been prevented. This estimate was based on two large studies, one conducted in Colorado and Utah and the other in New York, that used the Harvard Medical Practice Study method.

Impact

The To Err Is Human report has had a significant impact on the field of health care quality and patient safety. It has led to the development of new protocols and policies aimed at reducing medical errors and improving patient safety. The report has also influenced the creation of new organizations and initiatives focused on these issues, such as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF).

Criticism

While the To Err Is Human report has been influential, it has also been the subject of criticism. Some have questioned the methodology used to estimate the number of deaths due to medical errors, while others have argued that the focus on medical errors has diverted attention from other important issues in health care quality.

See also

• Patient safety
• Medical error
• Institute of Medicine
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• National Patient Safety Foundation

References

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