Almost 800 treatment errors were determined by experts in the Free State last year. This is based on data from the Medical Service (MD) Bavaria, which is based on treatment error statistics published nationwide on Thursday. The MD is the independent appraisal service for more than ten million citizens with statutory health and long-term care insurance in the federal state. Accordingly, in 2022 a total of 2704 reports on suspected treatment errors were prepared. In 28.3 percent of the suspected cases, an error was found by MD Bayern; this corresponds to 766 cases, the equivalent of about two confirmed treatment errors per day.
Across Germany, the medical services have prepared 13,059 reports on allegations (with almost 2,700 confirmed cases). “With the annual statistics on treatment error assessments, we are making a significant contribution to more patient safety,” said Christine Adolph, Deputy Chairwoman of the MD Bayern. However, the figures only show a selection of treatment errors, since there is no central recording and many of the cases are not recognized by the insured as possible treatment errors – and therefore remain unchecked. The errors found relate to a wide variety of diseases and treatments; care errors are also included in the count.
The numbers do not allow “any general conclusions to be drawn about safety in hospitals and doctor’s offices,” explained Adolph. In the interests of the patients, however, the medical services have been calling for more transparency and a new safety culture for years, in which treatment errors are disclosed, systematically recorded and evaluated. This applies in particular to the so-called never events – mistakes that often have serious consequences but could certainly be avoided. For example, checklists or markings could help to prevent serious page mix-ups during operations. In 2022, MD Bayern carried out a total of more than 1.1 million reports, recommendations and individual assessments in the medical and nursing field.