The leading professional organization that focuses on the use of radiation in treating cancer patients has called for increased safety measure and the establishment of the nation's first database for reporting hospital errors in radiation treatment, according to The New York Times.
As reported last week on New York Injury Lawyer blog, as many as 1 in 20 patients are harmed by equipment malfunction or doctor or hospital error in administering radiation. However, chronic underreporting, lack of oversight and other issues mean few patients are ever compensated because many never reach a qualified medical malpractice attorney.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology, or Astro, issued a plan last week that they contend would improve safety and quality, while reducing the chances of medical errors. While the group contends radiation accidents are rare, it says it will push for stronger accreditation programs, expanded training, and a program to help unsure that medical technologies from different manufacturers can safely transfer information.
The group will also push for federal legilsation to require national standards for radiation treatment teams.
The increased focus on patient safety comes in the wake of a comprehensive report in The New York Times that found patients are sometimes injured by malfunctioning machines or the lack of basic safety procedures.
Dr. Tim R. Williams, the group's chairman and a Florida radiation oncologist, said he found the articles in The Times "deeply troubling."
"In any area of medicine, and radiation oncology is no exception, even one error is too many," Dr. Williams told The Times "Any errors, no matter how small, must be reported, understood and used as a tool to further reduce the potential for future errors."
If you or a loved one has suffered medical malpractice or medical negligence, call the New York City medical malpractice lawyers at Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 866-LifeLaw (866-543-3529).
