Medical Mistakes

Are California hospitals reporting medical mistakes and infections accurately - or at all? State officials estimate that thousands of Californians die each year from medical mistakes and patient infections, and that these infections are largely avoidable. Join Health Dialogues as we explore efforts to reduce these risks, and take a look at what officials and consumers can do to safeguard against medical mistakes.

David Meyer

Hospital-Acquired Infections: A First-hand Account

David Meyer, a former contractor who lives in the Sacramento area, found himself in the hospital after a motorcycle accident five years ago. His surgery wouldn't heal for nearly a year - the result of an undiagnosed infection.

Dr. Robert Wachter, MD (credit: UCSF)

Patient Safety

For years now, Dr. Robert Wachter, MD, has been on a mission: to reduce medical harm. Guest: Dr. Robert Wachter, MD, chief of the Medical Service and chair of the Patient Safety Committee at UCSF Medical Center.

• More: Wachter's World : Dr. Wachter's blog

credit: Carlos Delgado

California Hospitals Adapt to Infection Rate Requirements

Earlier this year, California became the 28th state to require that hospitals tell the public how many people get infections while in their care. But will this reduce the number of infections, or will hospitals rather pay fines than risk losing face? Reporter: Sarah Varney

• More: Making Health Care Safer : A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [pdf]

credit: Lauren Whaley

Reduced Infection Rates at Riverside Medical Center

Health Dialogues pays a visit to Riverside County Regional Medical Center to see what specific measures the hospital took to reduce central line infections. Reporter: Lauren Whaley

What's a Consumer to Do?

Host Scott Shafer speaks with a consumer advocate and a journalist about their work to make medical harm information more transparent, and what consumers can do to inform themselves. Guest: Betsy Imholz, advocate on health issues for Consumers Union. Guest: William Heisel, contributing editor for ReportingonHealth.org.

• More: Search hospitals' quality of care : a service from the California HealthCare Foundation
• More: Antidote : a blog by William Heisel
• More: Stop Hospital Infections : Safe Patients Project from Consumers Union

Debbie Rogers (credit: California Hospital Association)

Patient Safety: A Hospital Advocate Perspective

Host Scott Shafer explores patient safety from the perspective of the California Hospital Association, an advocacy group representing the legislative and regulatory interests of its membership. Guest: Debby Rogers, vice president of quality and emergency services at the California Hospital Association.