USA Leads the World ... In Medical Errors

Based on a comparison of health care systems in six nations, the 2005 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey found that America led the rest in inefficient care and medical errors. Improper Treatment 34 Percent of the Time Researchers interviewed patients who had a serious condition that required intense medical treatment or had been admitted to a hospital for a condition other than a routine pregnancy. 12 Percent Spread The spread between the United States and countries with lower error rates was fairly wide, with a 12 percent difference between Britain, which had the lowest rate of errors, and the United States. The American rate was driven up by fairly frequent test and medication errors. Health Affairs November 3, 2005Yahoo News November 3, 2005 Dr. Mercola's Comment:Medical errors are a large reason why the current fatally flawed medical paradigm is in such desperate need of transformation. You know the system needs changing when themajority of health care workers observe mistakes made by their peers but rarely do anything to challenge them. Other clues that the system is broken are thatthe death rate actually decreases when doctors go on strike, and deaths blamed on mistakes made with prescription drugs sold at pharmacies spike at the beginning of each month. If you want to improve your health without relying on "the wonders" of conventional medicine, I urge you to review a recent study I posted that directly addresses this issue. The sad tragedy is that the conventional medical paradigm is fatally flawed.The United States is spending$2 trillion every year for a system that is based on disease management focused on drugs and surgery that fail to address the underlying cause of disease. Additionally, clever manipulation of the official government death rates conceals the fact that the conventional medical system, not heart disease or cancer, is the leading cause of death in this country. Yet, in all fairness, physicians themselves are not the primary reason, as they are under the pernicious influence of the multi-billion-dollar marketing umbrella of the drug companies. Our return on this investment is profoundly poor. The bottom line is that the system is crumbling before your eyes. The very economic stability of the United States is threatened by this abuse. The good news is that the expense and misery can be powerful motivating factors to change. Corporately I am targeting next year for a dedicated alliance initiative with health care professionals to tackle this challenge and catalyze a major transformation in the system. However, personally, if you want to take a giant step toward better health for you and your family, as well as eliminate your dependence on the dishonest and harmful health care system, please consider my Total Health Program. My how-to book goes into much greater detail about the proven health strategies I discuss on my Web site and use in my practice -- and life -- every day. Here are a number of ways you can achieve optimal health without the use of harmful drugs: