State Health Watch Archives – February 1, 2005
February 1, 2005
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Retrospective look at landmark report: Are patients safer now?
Five years ago, the Institute of Medicine caused a stir with a landmark report, To Err is Human, which said the number of people who die in the United States as a result of medical errors is equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing each day. While providers and health system analysts are cautiously optimistic about the progress that has been made since then, consumers say they dont feel safer, perhaps because theyre not aware of some of the changes that have taken place. Also in the discussion is an initial report on patient safety centers in several states one attempt to take bold steps to improve patient safety. -
Fiscal Fitness: How States Cope - Governors ask Congress for Medicaid reform, but don’t want cost shifted to state budgets
Saying that reform of the Medicaid program is their highest priority, the nations governors asked Congress for changes that will result in cost savings and efficiencies for both the federal and state governments. -
Six states serve as models for those establishing patient safety centers
States wanting to follow the lead of the six that have enacted legislation supporting creation of state patient safety centers to help address the problem of medical errors should be sure there is clear legislative authority, coordinate center activities with other state activities, and begin by focusing on creating a safety culture. That conclusion is from a report from the National Academy for State Health Policy that examined the models in use in the six states. -
Consumers still worry about health care safety
While providers are willing to give high marks for at least some of the steps taken to address the Institute of Medicines 1999 report on the high number of medical errors in this country, consumers surveyed as part of the five-year anniversary of the report dont believe the nations quality of care has improved. -
Clip files / Local news from the states
The Ehrlich administration released in December an executive summary of its bill aimed at averting Marylands medical-malpractice insurance crisis.