Medical errors are a leading cause of death and injury in America.
A report issued by the National Academy of Science's Institute of Medicine during November 1999 said that medical errors comprise one of the nation's leading causes of death and injury. In hospitals alone, the report said, research suggests that medical errors kill 44,000 to 98,000 people a year. By contrast, it said, about 6,000 Americans die each year from workplace injuries. Mr. Richardson is president of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Mich., which has financed many health care projects for low income people. In fact, however, most doctors, nurses, and other key health care providers do not have their competence regularly re-tested after they are licensed to practice.