New Poll Suggests 18% of Americans Affected by Hospital Infections

Consumers Union conducted a poll during mid-March of more than 2,000 Americans to learn about their experiences with health care-associated infections, preventable medical errors and preventive care.  Almost one in five (18%) say they or an immediate family member have experienced a dangerous infection following a medical procedure. 

• Sixty nine percent of these respondents said they had to be admitted to a hospital or extend their stay because of these infections.

One-third of the Americans surveyed report that medical errors are common in everyday medical procedures.

• Thirteen percent have had their medical records lost or misplaced.
• Nine percent have been given the wrong medicine by a pharmacist when filling their doctor's prescriptions.

The results of the poll were released at a Congressional briefing on reforming the health care delivery system with the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, and the American Heart Association, who together also released a joint statement.