Reducing the Risk of Adverse Drug Events

[cbayer]

4. Excellent points all around. That is why we are in such desperate

need of a uniform, computerized medical records system (and universal, single payer healthcare).

It was the Institute for Healthcare Improvement that started the 100,000 Lives project after the startling Institute of Medicine report, To Err is Human. That number was attributed to a list of recurring medical errors, adverse drug events being on that list. Addressing the handwriting issues, as well as other fairly easily implemented new systems, became their goal.

Hospitals that participated saw significant decreases in avoidable adverse events across the board. However, relatively few hospitals participate.

Had Don Berkowitz, who spearheaded this program, been allowed to stay in place at HHS, I think we would have seen a great broadening of it's utilization and effect. But, alas, he is gone.

Although I think the Joint Commission plays an important role, I think they have not been aggressive enough at looking at the IOM report and integrating it's findings into their standards. It is a highly political and bureaucratic body and it is quite difficult to get them to make major changes, imo.