Medical advances have reduced the rate of death by heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses, allowing Americans to live much longer than previous generations. But a recent report from Johns Hopkins safety experts raises concerns about the quality of medical care people are receiving.

As reported on the Johns Hopkins website, a review of medical death rate data shows that medical errors have caused more than 250,000 deaths each year. This represents about 1 in 10 deaths—a staggering rate. Medical errors have now leapfrogged respiratory illnesses as the third leading cause of death in the country.