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Medical Errors: Leading Death Cause
- Medical error ranks as the third leading cause of death in the U.S., behind heart disease and cancer.
- This high rate stems from complex systemic issues rather than individual negligence.
Pain as Fifth Vital Sign
- Pain was declared the fifth vital sign in the late 1980s and 90s, making doctors prioritize patient-reported pain.
- This contributed to widespread prescription of opioids, fueling increases in opioid-related mortality.
Patient Satisfaction Pressures Doctors
- Patient satisfaction surveys push doctors to comply with patient demands instead of medical needs.
- This dynamic incentivizes overprescribing, particularly painkillers, to avoid poor satisfaction scores.