Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Chronic Pain Support Group

440,000 Die Due to Hospital Mistakes

sptrout
sptrout
In an article just published in Consumer Report's "OnHealth" newsletter, it is estimated that 440,000 people die in the U.S. each year due to hospital errors. According to the article, "these numbers are based on the research of John James, Ph.D., a retired NASA scientist who became a patient-safety advocate after his son's death 12 years ago."

However, we can all be grateful that the Feds are really cracking down on meds for chronic pain patients. (My rant, not from the article.)

Since "OnHealth" is a paper newsletter, I cannot post a link to the actual article. Plus, Consumer Reports has much of their online information available to subscribers only.

If you get a chance, I would recommend that you subscribe to this newsletter. Since there is no advertising, it is rather expensive, but they do publish a lot of good information.
redheaddiva
redheaddiva
Not at all a surprise to me. They are too busy taking pain meds away from patients that need them to worry about whether doctors are killing people with mistakes. That's not near as sensational. We can't have a bunch of "addicts" running around blaming doctors for their addiction now can we? If they make a mistake and kill someone, they settle out of court for a sum, put a gag order on the recipients, and wipe their hands of it. Not often are they really held accountable. But, withholding pain medications for patients won't get them in trouble, probably never will...so who cares if people suffer?

I am so jaded by the medical system. At least "my way," I won't die and I'll continue to live my life. It shouldn't be that way but, unfortunately, the voice of those with chronic pain being severely under or not treated is not at all loud enough. And not backed by money. So, unfortunately, it won't get better...not even when CP patients die either by their own hand or as a secondary effect of not being treated properly. There's not enough money behind the cause for any politican to care enough to make a real change.

Makes me disgusted that I served this country. The VA medical system is no better, unfortunately. So, I'm left to do it alone. It's disgusting and my experience has left me feeling like I no longer love this country as much. It makes me very sad.