The U.S. healthcare system is built on the promise of saving lives, but what if it’s also responsible for a shocking number of preventable deaths? Dr. Julie Siemers, a nurse with 45 years of experience and a leading patient safety expert, reveals a disturbing truth: medical errors are the third leading cause of death, only behind heart disease and cancer. In her recent TEDx Talk, How Not to Die in the Hospital, she sheds light on the system-wide failures that put millions at risk—and the simple yet powerful strategies that can turn the tide.
The Cost of Silence: How Communication Breakdowns Put Patients at Risk
One of the biggest threats to patient safety isn’t a disease—it’s miscommunication. Studies show that 70% of medical harm events stem from poor communication between healthcare teams and families. When doctors, nurses, and caregivers fail to exchange critical information, the consequences can be fatal.
Dr. Siemers experienced this firsthand when her mother suffered from ICU delirium, a condition that causes confusion and hallucinations due to sleep disruption and medication. Hospital staff failed to communicate effectively with her family, leaving them powerless to intervene. This experience fueled her mission to teach a simple yet life-saving communication tool: CUSS—Concerned, Uncomfortable, Scared, Safety issue. This framework empowers families to speak up when they sense something is wrong.
Hospitals Are Losing Millions—And Patients Are Paying the Ultimate Price
Medical errors don’t just take lives—they also place a massive financial burden on hospitals. Research shows that preventable patient harm leads to prolonged hospital stays, lawsuits, and declining Medicare star ratings, all of which impact a hospital’s bottom line. A mid-sized hospital with an $88 million annual operating income can lose up to $9 million due to patient harm alone.
Dr. Siemers’ consulting services help hospitals identify their weak points and implement evidence-based strategies to reduce harm. By addressing the root causes—lack of nurse training, inefficient safety protocols, and poor communication—hospitals can save both lives and money.
From Nurse to Advocate: A 45-Year Journey to Transform Healthcare
Dr. Siemers’ career spans decades of experience in ICU, education, and research. After witnessing countless preventable tragedies, she pursued her doctorate to study patient harm. Her research-backed solutions, including multiple course offerings for nurses and hospital consulting services, have already helped numerous healthcare providers improve their safety practices.
Her TED Talk is a call to action for both families and medical professionals. “Every patient is someone’s mother, father, or child. Their safety should be a guarantee, not a gamble,” she says. Her work is reshaping the way hospitals approach patient care—one conversation at a time.
The CUSS Method: A Simple Way to Speak Up in Hospitals
Speaking up in a medical setting can feel intimidating. Patients and families often hesitate, afraid of being dismissed or seen as “difficult.” But staying silent can have deadly consequences.
Dr. Siemers shares a straightforward, powerful tool called the CUSS Method, designed to help families communicate concerns with hospital staff:
- C – “I’m Concerned.”
- U – “I’m Uncomfortable.”
- S – “I’m Scared.”
- S – “This is a Safety issue.”
By using these four statements, families can clearly communicate urgency and push for immediate action. “If something doesn’t seem right, don’t wait. Say the words, escalate the concern, and demand attention,” Dr. Siemers advises.
Conclusion
Dr. Julie Siemers’ work is changing the way hospitals and families approach patient safety. Medical errors don’t have to be an inevitable risk—by improving communication, training nurses, and empowering families with advocacy tools like the CUSS method, lives can be saved.
For families, the message is clear: you have the power to protect your loved ones in the hospital. Understanding the risks, recognizing the warning signs, and knowing how to speak up can make all the difference.
