Revisiting the IOM medical error report

Five years after the landmark Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on medical errors "To Err is Human," the nation's healthcare system has improved in preventing medical errors, according to a study in the May 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The article, which was authored by two members of the IOM's 1999 report team, states that healthcare has made positive strides in regard to its view on error prevention, enlisting stakeholders' support, and changing practices.

The article also asserts that the report stimulated "a broad array of stakeholders to engage in patient safety, and motivating hospitals to adopt new safe practices."

For more information, contact the Journal of the American Medical Association.