WASHINGTON (AP) - Legislation approved by the Senate Thursday would set up a confidential, voluntary reporting system under which doctors and hospitals could disclose information on medical errors without fear of legal repercussions.

Sponsors of the legislation, led by Sen. James Jeffords, I-Vt., said tracking of mistakes and near-mistakes in the treatment of patients would be useful in helping prevent future medical errors.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., cited an Institute of Medicine study several years ago that found that medical errors cause 98,000 deaths a year.

The bill, approved by voice, must still be reconciled with a similar bill that passed the House last March.

It creates a reporting system in which physicians, hospitals and other health care providers can report information on errors to groups known as Patient Safety Organizations.

Those organizations would be allowed to collect and analyze "patient safety data" and provide feedback on how to improve medical care. Those providing the data would be assured confidentiality and legal protection.

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The bill is S. 720.

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