Diagnoses on hospitals differ

Re “Hospital mistakes go public,” June 30

As both a former drug safety specialist for a major pharmaceutical company and a registered nurse in hospitals, I’ve seen many sides of this traumatic issue. Mistakes can ruin people’s lives. However, we must all take our share of responsibility.

We can’t be unwilling to pay for medical care and then expect overworked nurses at understaffed hospitals to be infallible. Should a patient who refuses to be turned every two hours hold a nurse or hospital accountable for bedsores? Should we demand new miracle drugs but not tolerate any of the risk or cost of developing those drugs? It’s a two-way street.

Laying all the blame on hospitals or drug companies does not fix the problem. Providing and accepting the best possible care requires we all step up to the plate.

Monica Garfield

Los Angeles

Efforts to negate “adverse events” at hospitals are commendable, but we should also focus on the inept medical practitioners who perform these functions. Lobbyists and lawyers for doctors always win the battle to protect the names and reputations of unfit doctors. Disclosure requirements should also extend to surgical centers.

Until the public awakens to the magnitude of this incompetence, patients will continue to suffer in silence.

William Agopian

Cowan Heights

The June 30 Times contains two articles that are classic examples of misplaced priorities. The first relates to hospital errors and gives several examples. Most point to a lack of attentiveness and training. The second article reports on the UCLA Medical Center’s new hospital, which has had its share of bad publicity lately. The new facility has hotel-style service with meals served by waiters in black ties. I would be more concerned with the professional skill and attention of those engaged in my care and far less in the person delivering my meals.

Ken Sain

Altadena