Nearly half the public says they are very concerned about an error resulting in injury happening to themselves or their family when they receive health care in general (47%), and when they go to a hospital for care (47%). Somewhat fewer say they are very concerned about errors resulting in injury when they go to the doctor’s office (40%) and fill a prescription (34%). These concerns rank higher than concerns about error resulting in injury when flying on commercial airlines* (32%) and when purchasing food at the supermarket (30%). When it comes to what they worry about most with their own health care, being the victim of a medical mistake (7%) ranks lower than not being able to afford long-term care (27%), insurance refusing to cover treatment (23%), and their doctor not being covered under a new plan (14%).

* Note: this survey was conducted before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.