Among the top errors in medicine are those concerning patients' medications. Mistakes occur when patients misuse prescription medications as well as when they are prescribed the wrong prescriptions by patient care providers. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that adverse drug events cause more than 700,000 emergency room … [Read more...]
Medication Mistakes Among Top Medical Errors
Hospital Monopolies Drive Up Health Costs
Hospital Monopolies: The Biggest Driver of Health Costs That Nobody Talks About According to a recent post on Forbes.com, the healthcare reform debate revolves around how we pay and sell healthcare and related physician services. Insurers can monitor and restrict physicians from over charging, but are less able to restrict the biggest … [Read more...]
Study Shows Increase in Primary Care Physicians Prescribing Antidepressants
More patient care providers are prescribing antidepressants for symptoms, including headaches, menstrual cramps, and fatigue, as reported in "American Medical News." The study, which was featured in this month’s “Health Affairs,” found that “it is becoming more common for primary care doctors and other non-psychiatrist physicians to prescribe … [Read more...]
Emotional Stress from Malpractice Claims Drains Physicians
Although most malpractice claims fizzle and many men and women in physician services come out all right in terms of out-of-pocket expenses, emotional distress caused by lawsuits can be much more costly. "There are substantial costs associated with those claims," said Dr. Anupam Jena, patient care provider for Massachusetts General Hospital and … [Read more...]
Malpractice Claims High for Hospital Physicians
"ABC News" reported yesterday that the chances of hospital physicians facing malpractice claims are high. The story stemmed from a new study published by "The New England Journal of Medicine" that found “almost every physician in the U.S. will face a malpractice claim during his or her career," and that "while the risk of malpractice claims are … [Read more...]