Final answer:
The exact number of patients who die from preventable medical mistakes is not given in the reference materials, but these sources indicate that such errors are a significant concern in medicine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The publication To Err is Human indicates that a significant number of patients die each year due to preventable medical mistakes. While the exact number isn't provided in the reference information you gave, it is known that the rates of adverse events, including death, are issues of growing concern in the field of medicine. Issues such as human error in intense medical environments like intensive care units, disparities in mortality rates during childbirth, and the risks associated with foodborne illnesses and drug treatments pose serious risks to patients. The severity of Type II errors in the context of medical treatment could lead to a false belief in a drug's efficacy, which could result in dire consequences for patients.