The quality of health care in this country has been sacrificed. As a result of under use, misuse and abuse, millions of patients have been maimed, disabled, caused to suffer or killed across America. I was one of these individuals.

I am only one of the millions who have suffered as a result of medical errors. Here are some of the startling statistics:

• Medical errors in the United States are estimated between 44,000 and 98,000 annually, accounting for more deaths than those from motor vehicle crashes, breast cancer or AIDS, according to the Institute of Medicine.
  
  
• An estimated 1.3 million Americans are injured and at least 400 die each year from medication errors, reports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  
  
• Deaths linked to hospital germs represent the fourth leading cause of mortality among Americans, behind heart disease, cancer and strokes, according to the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
  
  
• Hospital infections kill more people each year than car accidents, fires and drowning combined, stated the American Hospital Association.

One person can make a difference. Two years ago, I received the first call from my doctor, informing me on my cellular phone, no less, that a routine colonoscopy showed a malignancy in my small intestine. He assured me that he had personally reviewed the pathology report and that he, like me, was shocked by the results. He then suggested that I consult with one of two recommended surgeons.

As a health care specialist, I followed my own advice: take a family member with you to the surgeon's office; ask the right questions; and consult with another medical professional on the diagnosis and treatment.

Major abdominal surgery followed, yet my doctor and the nurses avoided questions concerning the removal of my cancer. At my six-week check-up, I was still having problems and for the next three months remained very ill.

Then, the second call came. "I have good news and bad news for you," said my doctor. "The good news is that you do not have cancer. The bad news is that you did not need surgery. The laboratory tests upon which we based your surgery belong to another patient, a man."

A need is born and recognized from tragedy, suffering and sacrifice. We learn from these unfortunate circumstances. It is a way to ensure that similar mistakes are prevented. Thus, with the help of my family, friends and colleagues, I established SAVE THE PATIENT in 2001. The mission of the non-profit, tax-exempt charity is to educate and empower patients and the general public to make effective and informed health care decisions through the utilization of objective resources. SAVE THE PATIENT provides resources and services that assist individuals of all ages, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds in making sound health care decisions.

Many cultures, ethnic groups and races compose the Board of Directors and Advisory Panel of SAVE THE PATIENT. These members have expertise in public, private and corporate fields such as health care and management. They each recognize the growing need for patients to gather current and accurate non-biased health care information and assume responsibility for their own health.

SAVE THE PATIENT will direct its efforts to providing this information through Patient Advocacy, Community Outreach, Educational Seminars, the Internet and our first endeavor, Health Caring Cards.

Health Caring Cards, laminated, wallet-sized cards are currently available free of charge and contain pertinent questions to ask doctors, surgeons, hospitals and prescription drug providers.

For the millions of people who are, were or might be casualties of the health care battle, I hope you will join SAVE THE PATIENT in its goal to ensure that every person, regardless of socio-economic, age, sex, national origin, race, sexual orientation or culture has an opportunity for a full and healthy life.

One person can make a difference. Will you?

Sincerely,

Lenore Janecek,
Founder and President of SAVE THE PATIENT