Fatal Care: Survive in the U.S. Health System

by Sanjaya Kumar MD

Each year as many as 98,000 patient deaths occur in the U.S. as a result of preventable medical errors in hospitals. Preventable medical errors alone impact or harm at least 5 million Americans annually, costing more than $17-21 billion. These sobering statistics from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) provide a glimpse into a national crisis that harms or kills hundreds of innocent people each day. But they are only nameless, faceless numbers and can't illustrate the human cost behind the data. Moreover, they only reveal the problem and not the underlying causes or potential solutions. Fatal Care takes readers behind the statistics and into the lives of those who have experienced, first hand, the impact of what these numbers represent. Their individual stories embody all of the drama and tension found in popular medical series television productions. The portraits of these flesh-and-blood characters and their families will resonate with readers and draw them into the events and their lives. Readers will be reminded of people in their own lives who have had similar experiences. Fatal Care is unique and unlike other healthcare-related books, blending true, real-life dramas that illustrate gaps in the healthcare system with factual information and analysis for healthcare consumers and professionals. Every case in this book brings to life the chain of events that led to mishaps, and proposes solutions to prevent future mistakes and protect future patients.

289 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book on this subject, this is direct, informative, timely, and should be read by a multitude of patients, hospital employees, nurses, doctors, and anyone who might have to face a medical situation. Isn't that everyone? So much of what goes on badly in hospitals is hidden. This should never be allowed! This author states some safeguards, which if put in place, could have aided in reducing complications and unnecessary death. Thank you, Dr. Kumar, for your honesty. I got your book at a hospital conference and shared it with some of the hospital board. God bless you for writing this.

[Robynne Zipperer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing book educates on how to survive in today's healthcare system. It gives an intimate look into lost lives due to preventable medical errors and lends voice to the families left to grieve. I am so moved by this book. I hope all who read it will be prepared, if faced with dreaded hospital stays and that clinicians will learn from these stories to protect those they care for.

[Deborah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real stories about medical mistakes and mishaps - and how to avoid them. Everyone should read this.