Managed health care authorities are calling for a “Commission on Medical Errors” to be created that would investigate the thousands of injuries and deaths that result from hospital errors every year in the United States.

The commission would be composed of representatives from the medical industry, including pharmaceutical houses; the Federal Bureau of Investigations; members of the conservative health professions, such as Chiropractic; and viable consumer representatives, in order to give balance to the commission’s deliberations.

Members of the medical/pharmaceuticals will be kept the minority to assure no further cover-ups of inappropriate actions take place.

Several reports have been published, bringing to light the hundreds of thousands of injuries and deaths that occur in hospitals every year. In some cases, neither the patients nor survivors were told that the injuries were caused by medical mistakes. And, the doctors involved were not subjected to any disciplinary action. The formation of a commission would help to prevent errors, inform consumers and improve health care.

To date, there are at least four federal reporting systems indicating such a commission would work. In manufacturing, the 1988 Toxic Release Inventory led to a 43% decline in pollution emissions; the 1976 Aviation Safety Reporting System tracked errors of airline pilots and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission mandated reports of any exposure to radioactive iodine. And, Congress has created a 19-member Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce to devise internet tax rules.

Health care authorities believe Congress should also do the same for the health and well-being of America’s hospital patients.

SOURCE: Today’s Chiropractic, March/April 2000, Dr. Jerome F. McAndrews, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 42-46.