A study reported in November, 1999 by the Institute of Health finds that upwards of 98,000 Americans die from medical mistakes every year. The Institute calls the errors "stunning" and says there are ways to prevent many of them from even occurring in the first place.

According to the report, the problem lies with the health care "system" in general and not so much with the individual practitioners who actually make the mistakes while administering the care directly to the patients who die as a result.

The report cited such "systemic" problems as poor handwriting, too many drugs whose names sound alike and are easily confused, the inability to decipher orders and fill prescriptions properly as reasons for the deaths.

William Richardson, chairman of the panel that compiled the report wrote "These stunningly high rates of medical errors . . . are simply unacceptable in a medical system that promises first to 'do no harm.' "

By way of commentary, let's put these numbers in perspective. 98,000 preventable deaths from the health care "system" is about four times the number of people who die from automobile accidents involving alcohol. every year (approximately 20,000, all preventable as well). While we don't wish to minimize the importance of groups like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), we look forward to the day when groups like Mothers Against the Health Care System will form.