What's Enough in Error Reporting?

In 2005, Sam Mason entered the University of Iowa Hospital for two spinal operations. A hospital acquired infection cost him dearly - the bottom half of both legs and the tips of all ten fingers were amputated due to a severe staph infection.

In an editorial published last Wednesday, the Des Moines Register advocated that Iowa join twenty-seven other states which require hospitals to publicly report adverse events. Although the state currently encourages hospitals to report errors to a non-governmental organization, state Senator Jack Hatch (and the Register) believe that's not enough.

What do you think? What's enough in error reporting? Share your thoughts below.

Click here to read the editorial.
Click here to read more about Sam Mason.