Has the passage of the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. “Obamacare”) led to a meaningful reduction in fatal medical errors? If so, why, and what can we collectively learn to continue to improve treatment?
A report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reviewed all types of medical mistakes, ranging from incorrect prescription dosages to errors made in medical procedures. Analysts found that 121 of every 1,000 patients in 2013 and 2014 suffered due to a medical mistake. While that rate remained the same for two years, it marked a big decrease from 145 patients in 2010 – a drop of 17 percent. Those numbers translated to big gains: 87,000 lives saved along with a savings of $19.8 billion against unneeded medical bills.
A Brief History of Correcting Medical Mistakes
During the 1990s, the Institute of Medicine released a study called “To Err Is Human,” which reported that almost 100,000 patients died annually due to avoidable medical errors. Over the years, researchers investigated these mistakes and looked for ways to avoid them. One such method included a checklist to ensure that doctors or nurses properly addressed each detail.
The ACA specifically aimed to resolve this hospital error crisis by rewarding hospitals for improved medical care. For example, Medicare now pays more to institutions with low rates of hospital-acquired readmissions and similar problems. It also incentivizes facilities for other good behavior. Another initiative, Partnership for Patients, has increased monies for hospitals that implement quality-control measures and address patient safety.
No Final Conclusions Regarding the Error Data
Interestingly, earlier studies suggest that the number of hospital errors may have begun dropping as early as 2010. Thus, some experts believe that the new data doesn’t support the idea that the ACA caused the positive results we’re seeing. That being said, a wide and politically diverse spectrum of professionals does believe that the ACA has improved hospital behavior, resulting in better care overall for patients.
Irrespective of this debate, the fundamental business models that govern many hospitals may be contributing to and complicating quality care problems. Hospitals make money by treating patients. If someone becomes sicker at a medical facility, he or she will need continued care, earning more money for the facility. This business structure doesn’t exactly incentivize hospitals to make care more efficient!
Meanwhile, here’s a related challenge. Data for 2013 and 2014 suggest that hospital error rates may have already plateaued. Has our progress come to a standstill? Or are the cynics and bright-eyed advocates alike making too much of what could just be statistical noise?
Clearly, there’s room for improvement in the system, but at least we are (for now, and for whatever reason) headed in the right direction.
The Kelly Law Team represents victims of medical malpractice and hospital errors. If someone you love suffered an injury or extended hospital stay due to a physician’s negligence or carelessness or the malfunction of a piece of medical equipment, call our team at (602) 283-4122 to seek fair compensation for your damages.
