On May 3, 2016 a leading peer reviewed medical journal “The BMJ” (formerly known as British Medical Journal) included a study authored by Professor Martin A. Makary (professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) that shows just how common death occurs in America due to medical error—malpractice. This study was a front page story in May 3, 2016 Washington Post ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/05/03/researchers-medical-errors-now-third).
The study may shock some. Why? Because there is a systematic wall of silence that prevents the public from learning about negligent medical practices. When death occurs at a hospital as a result of negligence, information about the cause of death is usually kept secret from the patient’s family and the public. Frequently family members come to us because they want to know why a loved one died while in the hospital—not because they want to sue someone. They come to us because the hospital will not provide a cause of death—beyond something as vague as “cardiac arrest”. The term “cardiac arrest” might be accurate, but it says nothing about why the heart stopped.
If a plane or train crashes, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate to determine the cause. This occurs regardless of the number of people injured. Why? To make air and rail travel safe—regardless of who might ultimately be held financially accountable. Frequently, hospitals will also investigate the cause of death but, unlike the NTSB, its investigation is kept secret. The hospital will not share with the family or anyone else the results of the hospital’s investigation.