A recent New York Times article sheds light on the dangers of medical errors, particularly in infants and children since they are more vulnerable due to their small size. They are also still developing, and the effects of a medical error during this crucial time can have permanent or potentially life threatening consequences.
According to the article, the most common medical mistakes in children are:
- Hospital infections
- Medication errors
- Catheter injuries
- Misdiagnosis
In many instances, such errors are preventable but they happen nevertheless. Nearly a decade ago, the Institute of Medicine released a report on the prevalence of medical mistakes in the United States. At the time, the agency estimated that about 98,000 death a year were caused by preventable medical mistakes.
Some hospitals have taken measures to reduce the incidence of preventable errors, but more needs to be done, especially where children are involved. In the meantime, parents can act as advocates for their children by asking questions, paying attention, and speaking up when necessary.
