Final answer:
The Institute of Medicine has historically estimated up to 98,000 annual deaths from medical errors in the U.S., but this figure is outdated. Recent studies suggest the number may be between 250,000 to 440,000, though these estimates can vary. Accurate current statistics require up-to-date and reliable data sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Institute of Medicine (IOM), now known as the National Academy of Medicine, has not provided a recent estimate on the annual number of deaths from medical errors. In the past, reports by the IOM estimated that up to 98,000 Americans may die each year from medical errors. However, this statistic is outdated, and current estimates by other studies suggest the number may be much higher, potentially ranging from 250,000 to 440,000 deaths per year, making medical errors the third-leading cause of death in the United States. It is important to note that these figures can vary widely based on methodology and data sources. The complex nature of healthcare settings, the variability in error reporting, and changes in healthcare practices over the years can all affect these estimates. Thus, precisely answering this question requires accessing the most recent and reliable sources available for statistics on medical errors.