Janice Simmons, Senior Editor

Almost 10 years ago, the Institute of Medicine released one of its most talked-about reports ever—"To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System"—which stated that at least 44,000 people and perhaps as many as 98,000 each year were dying in hospitals as a result of medical errors that could have been prevented. At the time of its release, the report generated a firestorm of controversy. And after a decade, we would have assumed that we had finally met this issue head-on. Or have we? [Read More]

May 21, 2009

Editor's Picks

Errors All Too Common in Women's Cancer Care
As many as one in five women diagnosed with breast cancer had lesions that were visible but overlooked on most recent mammograms, and another 10% to 20% had lesions that were misinterpreted, according to a report summarizing recent research on cancer in women. [Read More]

Advocates Flog CMS for Ending CT Colonography Coverage
The American Cancer Society and other patient care and medical advocacy groups are bashing CMS for its decision this week to end Medicare coverage for CT colonographies. CMS says it decided against covering CT colonography after evaluating health outcomes for people ages 65 years and older and determining that "the evidence is not sufficient to conclude that screening CT colonography improves health benefits for asymptomatic, average risk Medicare beneficiaries." [Read More]

Comparative Effectiveness is Limited in Other Countries
If implemented correctly in the United States, comparative effectiveness research could show the capability to improve healthcare and reduce health costs, according to a new report from the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. However, several barriers, including Americans' distrust of data sources, will need to be addressed in the meantime. [Read More]

Is Healthcare Better Without Doctors?
In all the talk about creating a medical home for every American, it's important to realize that increasingly, consumers are getting their healthcare outside of the traditional physician-based healthcare system. And that may very well be a good thing. [Read More]

Editor's Note
From all of us at HealthLeaders Media, have a safe Memorial Day holiday. QualityLeaders will not publish next week, but will return with a new issue June 4.

This Week's Headlines

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UPenn Health System Uses eICU to Lower VAP Rates
Heather Comak, for HealthLeaders Media - May 21, 2009

13 Hospitals Fined for Mishaps, Never Events
Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media - May 20, 2009

Moves to allow medical residents more sleep rouse opposition
Wall Street Journal - May 21, 2009

Health outcomes driving new hospital design
New York Times - May 19, 2008

Webcasts/Audio Conferences

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ICU Overhaul 2009: Strategies to Reduce Costs and Improve Quality (June 26)

HIPAA Changes: New Compliance Strategies for New Marketing Models (June 17)

Service Lines Strategies Workshop: Cardiovascular Physician Alignment (On Demand)