Lerner B H
Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2001 Dec;5(12):1080-5.
Controversy has surrounded the death of Eleanor Roosevelt in 1962. There has been a persistent sense that doctors missed the diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis, thereby jeopardizing her life. This article, using Roosevelt's medical chart and other previously unreviewed documents, revisits her illness and death. What disease actually killed Eleanor Roosevelt? Did her physicians miss the diagnosis? These questions are of particular importance in light of the recent Institute of Medicine report estimating that almost 100,000 Americans die each year from medical mistakes. Why has the possibility of error clouded the care of Roosevelt for almost 40 years? What can Roosevelt's case reveal about ongoing efforts to reduce mistakes in clinical practice?
1962年埃莉诺·罗斯福的去世引发了诸多争议。一直以来都有一种观点认为，医生误诊了粟粒性肺结核，从而危及了她的生命。本文利用罗斯福的病历及其他此前未被查阅的文件，重新审视了她的病情与死亡情况。究竟是什么疾病夺去了埃莉诺·罗斯福的生命？她的医生是否误诊了？鉴于医学研究所最近的一份报告估计，每年有近10万名美国人死于医疗失误，这些问题就显得尤为重要。为什么误诊的可能性在近40年里一直笼罩着对罗斯福的治疗？罗斯福的病例能揭示出当前为减少临床实践中的失误所做的努力的哪些情况？
