WASHINGTON, Mar 24, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Twenty-three percent of U.S.
patients and their caregivers say they have been the victim of a medical error,
a survey indicates.
The survey, part of a larger report, "Chronic Care: A Call to Action for Health
Reform," says 21 percent of chronically ill patients felt their healthcare
providers did not do a good job communicating with each other and 20 percent
said their health had suffered as a result.
"Health spending for an older person with just one chronic disease is more than
twice that of a healthy person," John Rother, AARP executive vice president said
in a statement.
"Chronic conditions are often preventable, and they take a terrible toll on
millions of Americans. Our fragmented healthcare system makes it incredibly
difficult for chronically ill patients and their caregivers to get the
appropriate care they so desperately need."
The survey also indicates:
-- 26 percent of chronically ill patients say they lack confidence in the
healthcare system.
-- 30 percent say their healthcare provider did not have all the necessary
information when they arrived.
-- 24 percent received conflicting information from two or more healthcare
providers.
-- 16 percent say they received unnecessary medical tests.
AARP conducted two surveys -- one polled Americans age 50 and older with at
least one chronic condition, the second poll was of caregivers age 45 and older
who provided care. Both surveys were designed by AARP and conducted by Knowledge
Networks. No margin of error was given.
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International