A universally identified American hero speaks out on health care.

Ike Bana · #1 07-15-2014, 12:00 PM

Of the first world countries, the US has the highest rate of medical errors in the world, followed by Australia. And for this, along with among the worst life expectancy outcomes and infant mortality outcomes...we pay twice as much as a percentage of GDP for our health care than any EU nation, or Canada.

AARP interview with Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger.

Quote:

Your new thing is trying to change the health care industry. Is the medical world like aviation's old cowboy culture?

Medical professionals are as skilled and as dedicated as any, but they operate within a fragmented system that has not progressed as far as we have in aviation.

Why have you gotten involved in this issue?

In this country, there are about 200,000 preventable deaths every year, including medical errors, which are mostly system failures and health care–associated conditions like hospital-acquired infections. That's the equivalent of three airliners crashing every day with no survivors, something that would not be tolerated in my world.

Why is it tolerated in the medical world?

Because the deaths happen one at a time and the failures are often buried, we have not yet achieved the public awareness and the political will to change it.

Why not?

When I testified before Congress after the Hudson River landing, Congressman James Oberstar of Minnesota said, "Safety begins in the boardroom." That's as true in medicine as it is in aviation. It always boils down to leadership.

What about gridlock in Congress?

I had dinner two years ago in Washington with a dozen people, some from the World Health Organization, a former health minister of a European country, two congressmen. I took a straw poll of who thought we would finally achieve improvements in safety that would not only save lives but save money. One congressman's response stunned me. He said, "Even if I get my colleagues across the aisle to agree to this, I would be suspicious of their motives, of their agenda."

Did you respond?

After I regained my composure, I said, "Congressman, if we could get both sides of the aisle to agree, would their motivation really matter to you?" He said he guessed not. The question is, will it be in 20 years after 4 million preventable deaths? My vote is to do it now.

The equivalent of three airliners crashing every day with no survivors. That comparison actually stunned me, and I'm typically not so easily stunned.