Cost-barriers and badly co-ordinated care linked to UK medical errors
Monday 20th June 2011
Medical care that is badly coordinated has been linked to a higher risk of drug and medical errors in a new study.
Research published in the International Journal of Clinical Practise revealed that patients who received poorly co-ordinated care or who were unable to afford basic medical costs were significantly more likely to report treatment, medication or care errors.
Of the seven countries investigated, the UK was seen to have the highest increase of medication and medical errors due to cost related barriers.
Furthermore, the UK came third after the Netherlands and Germany when it came to a rise in errors due to poorly co-ordinated care.
Authors said: "Medication errors can happen when they are prescribed, dispensed or administered and all countries need to find ways to reduce them, together with errors in medical treatment and care."
This follows comments from the government following its 'listening exercise' regarding NHS reforms, with deputy prime minister Nick Clegg saying it is important to institute "the right reforms at the right pace".
Written by Mathew Horton
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