As a law firm that concentrates on medical malpractice and negligence cases, we often act as the voice of the patient as we advocate for the injured party and their family through harrowing moments. Over the years we have seen many cases of hospital and primary care malpractice and negligence ranging from birth injuries to surgical errors to misdiagnoses that have gravely altered lives.
The week of March 13-19, 2022, is Patient Safety Awareness Week which recognizes the importance of healthcare safety education and the work of healthcare organizations and employees to provide the highest level of care to all patients. Leaders in patient care such as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the Center for Patient Safety offer opportunities to bring education to the public as well as healthcare professionals in a campaign to reduce medical harm in the future. Clifford Law Offices supports the effort of these organizations to create a safer healthcare environment for patients and providers alike.
According to the World Health Organization, about 134 million events of negligence or malpractice occur every year worldwide resulting in around 2.6 million deaths. A study, published in the Journal of Patient Safety suggests that about 400,000 of those deaths occur in the United States, many of them the results of preventable harm.
Patient safety is an essential factor in the validity of the healthcare profession. Every citizen deserves a doctor or a hospital that they can trust with their lives. In an effort to raise awareness of patient safety and the number of preventable medical errors, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement initiated Patient Safety Awareness Week in 2019.
Our firm understands how important patient safety is to the public and, when mistakes do occur, how holding the healthcare industry accountable can create positive change.