Nearly $1.5 billion could be saved every year by preventing surgical errors, revealed a new study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
The study examined insurance data from more than 161,000 patients enrolled in health plans through their employer and who had a surgical procedure between 2001 and 2002. According to the study findings, insurers paid an additional (per patient):
- $19,480 for post-operative infections
- $28,218 for acute respiratory failure
- $12,196 for nursing care associated with medical errors
- $11,797 metabolic problems linked to medical errors
- $7,838 for blood clots and related problems linked to medical errors
- $1,426 for wound openings associated with medical errors
The study also revealed that preventable medical errors were responsible for 10 percent of patient deaths occurring within three months of the surgical procedure.
“Like the physical and emotional harm caused by medical errors, the financial consequences don’t stop at the hospital door. Eliminating medical errors and their after-effects must continue to be top priority for our health care system,” said Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, director of the AHRQ.