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goal in the United States is to deliver safe, high-quality
health care to patients in all clinical settings. Despite
the best intentions, however, a high rate of largely preventable
adverse events and medical errors occur that cause harm
to patients. Adverse events and medical errors can occur
in any health care setting in any community in this country.
This half-hour program looks at what constitutes a medical
error by discussing their root causes as well as their consequences.
Further, the role of the government in ensuring adequate
reporting and accountability is reviewed. The panel also
explores the public’s need for greater knowledge on
best practices and qualifications of both physicians and
the hospitals in which they practice, and the subsequent
impact of medical errors on both health care costs and malpractice
insurance. The panel includes the Commissioner of the New
Jersey Department of Health, a healthcare improvement specialist,
a victim of a variety of medical errors, and an insurance
expert.
Guest notes:
Dr. Fred Jacobs - Commissioner of the Department
of Health and Senior Services, a physician and former hospital
administrator.
Patricia Costante – Chairman and
CEO of MDAdvantage, a medical professional liability insurance
company.
Denise Lynch - suffered a severe staff
infection as a result of numerous medical errors.
Frances Griffin - of The Institute for
Healthcare Improvement, a not-for-profit organization aimed
at increasing medical effectiveness.
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