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Nearly 91,000 medical mishaps reported in Japan in 1st half of 2005+
(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)TOKYO, March 8_(Kyodo) _ A total of 90,990 medical mishaps which almost resulted in serious consequences were reported at 250 medical institutions nationwide in the first half of 2005, a survey by a medical accident watchdog showed Wednesday.
The Japan Council for Quality Health Care also said 1,114 serious accidents occurred at 272 hospitals in 2005, resulting in 143 deaths and aftereffects for 159 patients.
An official of the council urged about 380,000 medical institutions nationwide to do all they can do to reduce medical accidents as much as possible by examining the findings of the latest survey which it says included preventable cases.
The council said 27 percent of the mishaps involved drug prescriptions while 16 percent took place when medical staffers used equipment such as tubes and surgical drains. It also said 2 percent occurred during operations.
The survey showed many medical institutions are short-staffed in terms of nurses because many of the nurses who experienced mishaps said they were too busy or on night shift.
About 80 percent of the total mishaps involved nurses, and 4 percent medical doctors, according to the survey.
Meanwhile, medical accidents most frequently occurred during operations or examinations, with 30 percent reported during such situations, followed by bathing and eating with 23 percent.
The council is funded by organizations including the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and the Japan Medical Association.
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