More or Less: Behind the Stats Why medical error is not the third leading cause of death in the US
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Jun 8, 2024 
Professor Mary Dixon-Woods from Cambridge University debunks the claim that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the US. The discussion explores instances of medical errors, challenges in attributing deaths solely to mistakes, controversies in research methods, and the importance of accurate reporting for patient safety in healthcare.
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Medical Error Claim
- The claim that medical error is the third leading cause of death has spread online.
- This claim has been used in debates about gun control and healthcare staffing.
Debunking the Claim
- Medical error is not the third leading cause of death in the US.
- This claim originated from a flawed 2016 BMJ paper.
Adverse Events Examples
- A patient allergic to penicillin receives it in the hospital, leading to a fatal allergic reaction.
- Other examples include pressure ulcers (bed sores) and healthcare-acquired infections (like C. difficile).