In fact, previous studies have indicated that when medical errors do occur, patients prefer to have physicians acknowledge them, and apologize as soon as they can.

FORBES: Medical Malpractice: Broken Beyond Repair?

The trust said the errors had been introduced because data from its previous bookings system had not been correctly copied.

BBC: Patient booking problem at Bristol hospitals 'fixed soon'

This could be due to reporting errors at the local level or not enough sales from the previous year to develop a reliable figure.

FORBES: 10.06.08, 6:00 PM ET