Some efforts are being made to implement the IOM's recommendations for improving safety, but at least so far progress has been slow. The next time you rush to a hospital and need to be admitted after emergency room treatment, don't be surprised if your gurney is lined up in the ER hallway for a day or two before you actually reach a room.
Some medical studies seem to promise miracle cures, and others conflict with one another.
This article explains what you should look for when judging a study's quality. Official audits of the South African research found that the study used fraudulent data. The study claimed to show that in women with advanced breast cancer, high-dose chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant was a better treatment than regular chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. If you're scheduled for surgery, be sure to tell your doctor ahead of time about any vitamins, herbs, or other supplements that you take. Most doctors will advise you to stop taking supplements for two weeks before surgery because some can cause bleeding problems in the operating room.