More than 15,000 Colombians die each year due to medical errors, said medical organization Second Opinion Tuesday.
In an interview with Caracol Radio, the organization’s Colombian representative, Aaron Ossiaz, explained that a majority of the deaths are not due to malpractice, but rather due to outdated technology, budget constraints, or most importantly, poor diagnoses.
Ossiaz explained that a number of patient deaths could be avoided by consulting other specialized centers that have the means and expertise to the development of this work.
In 15% of cases sent to Second Opinion the diagnoses had been changed. The treatment was changed in an additional 70% of the cases.
In Colombia there is no regulation for cases of misdiagnosed patients and incorrect treatments. Therefore, Senator Jorge Eduardo Gechem Turbay proposed Bill 255 in 2011, which will allow members of the health care system to obtain a second medical opinion regarding diagnoses.
Senator Turbay said that a second medical opinion is a right that must be exercised when a patient’s health condition is critical or when a treatment can diminish the quality of life of the patient’s life.