Medical errors still a matter of concern: NABH

Despite massive growth in Indian healthcare industry, an alarming 98,000 patients die every year due to medical errors in the country, a top official in the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers said today.
Prevalence of medical errors was still a matter of concern as it occurred in 2.9 to 3.7 per cent of hospital admissions, of which 8.8 to 13.6 per cent resulted in death, Dr K K Karla, Chief Executive Officer, NABH, said.
Concept of medical errors and patients' safety was yet to be inculcated among the medical practitioners, he said at the inaugural session of Health Summit on the theme 'Quality in Health Care- the only way to go ,' organised by the local chapter of CII Health Care Panel.

Stating that patient safety and quality treatment should be the prime concern of the health care providers, Karla said evolving awareness on quality treatment among consumers would give a drive for health providers in improving the standards.
There was a global mismatch between demand and supply with regard to healthcare due to growing and aging population. Only 201 hospitals in the country had accreditation by the national body based on quality standards maintained by them, he said.
Fortis Healthcare Group CEO Dr Vishal Bali said hospitals across India were still depending on 19th century management principles that had to be redesigned.

Dr Thavamani D Palanisamy, convenor, Healthcare panel CII Coimbatore Zone and Managing Trustee, Dr NGP and KMCH Institutions, said there was need for a systematic effort to overhaul the current healthcare delivery by educating and training doctors and support staff to provide quality health care.
Healthcare delivery could be precisely defined and measured with a degree of accuracy, overcoming the challenges faced by the Indian healthcare sector, she said.