Disturbing news reveals the real dangers that might be hiding when you seek medical care. Shockingly, medical errors have been revealed to be the third leading cause of death in the United States. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University shared this information, which places medical errors right below heart disease and cancer on the list. These findings are particularly unnerving because they prove that the number of deaths by medical errors even surpasses those caused by accidents, stroke, diabetes, or pneumonia.
Although a study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) back in 2000 had already estimated the annual number of deaths in hospitals due to medical errors to be around 44,000 to 98,000 people, this new study pushes the numbers up exponentially. According to recent research published in the British Medical Journal, over 250,000 Americans die from medical errors each year.
The Cover-Up
One reason why this terrifying reality has been hidden is due to the way the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes their mortality statistics. Instead of listing the true cause of death, they only list the “underlying cause of death,” which only accounts for the condition that initially brought the person to seek medical treatment. This oversight means that even if a literally fatal mistake is made by doctors, it remains unreported.
Staying Alive
Until something changes within the medical industry, there are ways you can try to avoid becoming a victim.
1. Avoid unnecessary medications, procedures, and hospitalizations. Far too often, patients in America are prescribed medications and undergo procedures they do not need. Rather than taking your doctor’s advice as gospel, consider seeking the opinions of experts who practice outside conventional medicine.
2. Be a patient advocate and have your own. When you or someone you love is undergoing any sort of medical procedure, assign an advocate to be a presence and voice. This person should ask questions and make sure that the patient is receiving the care they need. Family members are usually the best advocates, but a close friend can be useful as well.
3. Wake up to the truth about the medical establishment. The conventional image of someone in a white coat does not represent infallibility. Doctors and nurses are human beings, just like us, and they can make mistakes. What sets them apart, however, is that they have the power to keep these errors hidden. Keep this in mind when navigating the medical world.
4. Recognize the power you have over your own health. Listen to your instincts, allow both your body and your intuition to guide you, and trust yourself. Focus on nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. Understand that you can control aspects of your health. Embrace the outlook that you have an active role in preserving your health, and avoid dangerous treatments.
By being aware of the reality hidden within medical establishments, you can take charge of your own health and take active steps to avoid falling victim to medical errors. Stay educated, informed, and assertive when it comes to your hospital experience.
