Today, more than 45 million inpatient surgeries are performed in U.S. hospitals each year.  About 82 percent of all adults visit their doctor at least once a year. And, according to the Food and Drug Administration, approximately 3.1 billion prescriptions were filled in 2003, up 60 percent from just 10 years before.

As a result of these huge numbers there is an increased possibility for errors that can occur. But rest assured that everyone in health care wants to improve quality and safety of care. Here are just a few links to other health care organizations that are in place to increase your awareness about patient quality and safety as well as protect you as a consumer:

Other VA Sites

• VA Hospital Compare
• MyHealtheVet
• ASPIRE - Quality and Safety Dashboard

Other Government Health Care sites

• CMS Hospital Compare
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Patient Safety Portal
• Agency for Health Care Research and Quality - Consumers & Patients 
• National Quality Forum - Patient & Family Engagement
• Health Resources and Services Administration
• Indian Health Services

Other Health Care Sites

• National Council on Patient Information and Education  
• Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America 
• U.S. Pharmacopeia 
• American Hospital Association  
• 5 Things You Can Do to Prevent Infection (The Joint Commission) 
• National Patient Safety Foundation - Patients & Families