Medication errors that have led to manslaughter charges

摘要

If a doctor is grossly negligent and the patient dies as a result, the doctor can be charged with manslaughter. The numbers of doctors charged with and convicted of manslaughter have increased appreciably in the past decade. Blaming one or a few people for an error that may be the result of difficulties at many stages in a complex process is dangerous. This action encourages secrecy and inhibits system changes that would reduce the likelihood of future errors.