Final answer:
The WHO provides data showing the occurrence of medical errors in hospitals. Developed countries experience these errors, albeit at varying rates, and interventions like the WHO's "safe surgery" checklist have helped reduce complications and fatalities significantly. The comparison to low-income countries highlights the importance of resources and systemic approaches to improve patient safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the likelihood of a hospitalized patient being the victim of a medical error in developed countries varies, but is not uncommon. While specific statistics are not provided here, the WHO has documented various challenges and adverse events related to medical care in their reports. Medical errors can range from minor complications to significant adverse outcomes, including fatalities. For instance, the implementation of the "safe surgery" checklist has seen the rate of significant postsurgical complications and deaths drop by an average of more than 35 percent across hospitals where it was tested. This illustrates that systemwide interventions can significantly decrease the incidence of medical errors.
Medical errors are not solely confined to low-income countries, where issues like clean water and basic sanitation resources predominantly contribute to health issues. In those regions, according to a 2014 UNICEF report, almost half of the population lacks improved sanitation facilities, contributing to higher rates of diseases and infant mortality. However, in high-income countries, despite better access to healthcare and resources, medical errors remain a concern and an area for continuous improvement in patient safety.
Learn more about Medical Errors in Developed Countries