• 01
  • August
    2011

Dying in a plane crash is common fear among people in Ridgewood and elsewhere across the state. However, according to the World Health Organization, you are more likely to die as a result of a medical mistake, such as a surgical error, than you are to die in a plane crash - much, much more likely, in fact.

The WHO reported recently that a person's chances of dying in plane crash are approximately one in 10 million. However, about one out of 10 people encounter some kind of medical mistake and one in every 300 people who is subject to a mistake dies because of that error.

Now, it is important to keep things in perspective. Just as most flights land safely, most medical procedures are performed without incident. But clearly, medical mistakes do occur and cause harm to innocent people as a result.

In many cases, there is nothing you, the patient,  can do to prevent a medical mistake from occurring. But there are some general tips you can follow to put yourself a little more in the driver' s seat:

  • Do not by shy about asking doctors, nurses and other medical personnel if they have washed their hands before touching you. Clean hands can prevent the transfer of infections.
  • Ask the doctor to wipe down a stethoscope with an alcohol-based cleaner before he or she uses it on you.
  • If you are having surgery, ask your doctor in advance what exactly will happen in the procedure you are about to undergo. Reciting it to you step-by-step might keep it more fresh in his memory.
  • Do not bring your hands into close contact with your mouth, nose or eyes while you are in the doctor's office. This is how most germs enter the body.

Source: The Los Angeles Times, "Fear of Flying? Hospitals may be scarier - so take precautions," Marissa Cevallos, 22 July 2011.