The report estimated that over 90,000 people die each year as a result of preventable medical errors.
Mistakes involving medications are a significant and often preventable cause of adverse drug events.
The IOM, as well as other organizations, recommend the implementation of effective medical error reporting systems. The rationale is that improved error reporting underlies and supports the understanding of mistakes and their causes, leading to potential solutions. During the 2000 legislative session, many states considered legislation but only California, South Dakota, and Washington enacted bills. California actually adopted two bills on the medical error issue. It applies to acute care general hospitals, specialty hospitals, and surgical clinics.