Nearly one-third of Oregonians have encountered medical errors, such as incorrect prescriptions or surgical mistakes, according to a new report from the Oregon Patient Safety Commission. However, many providers have not adequately informed patients about these errors.
Released this week, the 16-page report represents the “first comprehensive review of post-pandemic patient safety data in Oregon,” covering medical harm over the past five years. Established by the Oregon Legislature in 2003, the Commission aims to advocate for patient safety by integrating the perspectives of healthcare providers, insurers, and patients.
The survey revealed that 30% of Oregonians reported experiencing some form of medical harm in recent years, whether related to their own treatment or that of someone close to them. Medical harm encompasses a wide array of mistakes made by healthcare professionals, which can lead to further complications and inaccurate treatment plans.
Nationally, research indicates that around 400,000 hospitalized patients fall victim to preventable medical errors each year, with approximately 200,000 resulting in fatalities. In Oregon, only about 21% of hospitals received the highest safety ratings from industry watchdogs as of spring 2025, marking a significant decline since 2020 and placing the state in the bottom third for hospital safety nationwide.
The Oregon Patient Safety Commission’s recent research extended beyond hospital facilities and refrained from detailing specific incidents of provider errors. It found that 52% of reported incidents occurred in hospitals, 31% in primary or specialty care settings, 7% in urgent care facilities, and 6% in nursing homes.
The report highlights that victims of medical errors desire timely notifications and apologies, but only about one in three actually receive such responses. Notably, when errors lead to serious health consequences, the likelihood of receiving an apology diminishes.
State analysts acknowledged the challenges in enhancing transparency regarding medical errors, noting that while over 90% of surveyed physicians support disclosure after mistakes, many do not follow through. The recent Oregon-backed survey advocates for healthcare organizations to implement a communication and resolution program, a model recommended by federal public health researchers to improve accountability and patient trust.
