Time for patients

Re “Safer medicine,” editorial, June 30

The 100,000 Lives Campaign to nudge doctors toward more appropriate procedural practice is heartwarming news for patients. Getting doctors to follow a few basic medical procedures clearly makes sense. Still, no mention was made of another fundamental flaw in today’s medical care system: the failure of devoting sufficient cognitive time with the patient before any procedures are selected and carried out. Getting doctors to adopt the old adage “never treat a stranger” is the best insurance that the appropriate procedure will be successful.

WILLIAM K. SOLBERG

Los Angeles