13.07.12
12,000 preventable NHS deaths each year
Around 12,000 acute hospital deaths each year are preventable, new research suggests – far fewer than previous estimates.
Published in the BMJ Quality and Safety, researchers compiled a data analysis of case records for 1,000 adult patients at ten randomly selected acute hospitals across England in 2009.
While the number appears substantial, researchers stated that this was much lower than previous estimates of between 60,000 and 255,000 cases of serious disability or death as a direct result of treatment in the NHS.
The deaths were judged on a scale of preventability and estimated life expectancy at admission. Results showed that 31% of preventable deaths were due to poor clinical monitoring, with just under 30% caused by diagnostic errors.
In total, 131 patients were judged to have experienced a problem in the care they received, which contributed to their death. Patients were almost twice as likely to be admitted under surgical specialities.
The authors said: “While the spectre of preventable hospital deaths may prove helpful in raising interest in patient safety and a commitment to improvement, overestimating the size of the problem and the risk to patients may induce unjustified levels of anxiety and fear among the public.
“In addition, confirmation of the relatively small proportion of deaths that appear to be preventable provides further evidence that overall hospital mortality rates are a poor indicator of quality of care.”
To view the report, visit: http://press.psprings.co.uk/qs/july/preventabledeaths.pdf
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