Patient Safety/Medical Error

Diana L. Miglioretti, PhD, professor of biostatistics at the University of California–Davis School of Medicine, and her colleagues found high rates of CT use among children may contributed to increased cancer risk. Image: UC Regents©

Author Insights: Use of CT Scans on Children Remains High, May Increase Cancer Risk

By Bridget M. Kuehn on June 10, 2013

Children continue to undergo many more computed tomography (CT) scans than in the past, and the doses of radiation they are receiving may increase the risk of certain types of cancer, according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics today…. Read More ›

As more adults take prescription medications, more children are being harmed by accidental or intentional exposure to such medications. Image: Julie Fairman/iStockphoto.com

As Prescription Drug Use Rises, so Do Child Poisonings

By Bridget M. Kuehn on June 3, 2013

Growing numbers of children and adolescents are ending up in the hospital for drug-related poisonings, as the use of prescription medications by adults to treat hypertension and other cardiac problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, and pain increases, according to an analysis… Read More ›

A group of investigators have issued their 10 top strategies for improving inpatient safety. (Image: jsmith/iStockphoto.com)

Investigators Cite Top 10 Strategies to Improve Patient Safety

By Mike Mitka on March 4, 2013

Following certain strategies could save the lives of the many patients who die in US hospitals because of unsafe practices by health care workers, a team of investigators report today in a supplement of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Each… Read More ›

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Spinal Infections Emerge as Latest Fallout From Exposure to Contaminated Steroid Injections

By Bridget M. Kuehn on November 29, 2012

About 2 months after the initial cases of fungal meningitis were traced back to injections of a contaminated steroid drug from a New England compounding pharmacy, new patients continue to be identified. The latest wave of patients are presenting with… Read More ›

Inspection reports from the US Food and Drug Administration suggest a major drug compounding pharmacy failed to take steps to ensure the sterility of its products. Image: iStockphoto.com/pagadesign

FDA Inspection Finds Sterility Breaches at Major Compounding Pharmacy

By Bridget M. Kuehn on November 13, 2012

From filth and a leaky roof in areas intended for the production of sterile drugs to a bird and bugs in areas used to store drugs, inspectors from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found serious failures to ensure… Read More ›

Karen E. Joynt, MD, MPH, of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, and colleagues found a lower rate of use of a heart intervention in states that require public reporting of treatment outcomes. (Image: Aubrey LaMedica)

Author Insights: Reporting Outcomes May Affect Physician, Hospital Practices—Not Necessarily for the Better

By Mike Mitka on October 9, 2012

In theory, being able to see which hospitals and physicians best deliver care for various conditions would likely help individuals choose where to receive their health care. But in practice, public reporting of outcomes data can be problematic because it… Read More ›

More than 100 patients in 9 states have developed meningitis after receiving spinal injections of potentially contaminated steroids, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Image: iStockphoto.com/Donald Erickson

Number of Fungal Meningitis Case Linked to Steroid Injections Rise

By Bridget M. Kuehn on October 8, 2012

The number of cases of meningitis or stroke associated with injectable steroids from a New England compounding pharmacy has increased to 105, including 8 deaths, according to updated data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cases… Read More ›

Mark L. Graber, MD, RTI International, said diagnosis is overlooked as a quality measure by health care organizations.

Author Insights: Diagnosis Error Is Ignored as a Quality and Safety Measure

By Mike Mitka on September 25, 2012

Delayed, missed, and incorrect diagnoses occur up to 20% of the time and result in an estimated 40 000 to 80 000 deaths each year. Authors of a Viewpoint appearing today in JAMA say that to prevent avoidable injury and death, medical… Read More ›

Once a drug becomes available over-the-counter, companies often omit risk information from the product’s advertisements, found Jeremy Greene, MD, PhD, and colleagues from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and CVS Caremark. Image: Nathaniel Comfort

Author Insight: When Prescription Drugs Become Available Over-the-Counter, Their Ads Fall Silent on Risks

By Bridget M. Kuehn on September 11, 2012

When 4 popular medications became available to consumers over-the-counter (OTC), risk information all but disappeared from advertisements for the products, according to an analysis published today in JAMA. When the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began allowing direct-to-consumer advertising… Read More ›

Arthur W. Wallace, MD, PhD, University of California, San Francisco, said physicians need to do more to reduce heart attack risk when patients are undergoing surgery. (Image: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco)

Author Insights: Working to Reduce the Risk of Heart Attacks in Patients Undergoing Surgery

By Mike Mitka on July 23, 2012

Risk for heart attack and death increases in the period surrounding a surgical procedure. The latest reminder of this danger comes today with the release of a European study and an accompanying commentary in the Archives of Internal Medicine. In… Read More ›

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