Medical errors can cover a wide variety of situations. The wrong medication dose could be given to a patient, or a nick from a scalpel during surgery could cause internal bleeding or neurological injury. Surprisingly, the majority of errors take place in connection with visits to a physician’s office rather than in the context of hospital stays. However, the number of such errors annually makes this the third leading cause of death in the nation. New York healthcare professionals may need to consider some important issues related to medical errors in order to turn the statistical tide.
Medical errors can cover a wide variety of situations. The wrong medication dose could be given to a patient, or a nick from a scalpel during surgery could cause internal bleeding or neurological injury. Surprisingly, the majority of errors take place in connection with visits to a physician’s office rather than in the context of hospital stays. However, the number of such errors annually makes this the third leading cause of death in the nation. New York healthcare professionals may need to consider some important issues related to medical errors in order to turn the statistical tide.
Infection is an area that seems to receive meticulous attention in the hospital environment. However, preventive methods are not standardized, which means that there could be exposure to hazards because of missing protocols. Cameras could do much to support and encourage consistent infection prevention. Pharmaceutical errors can also have deadly consequences. Greater interaction between patients and their pharmacists could contribute to a significant decrease in deadly medical errors.
Electronic management of patient information can help in reducing the potential for medical error. There is a serious need, however, for compatibility in electronic documentation. This could provide more efficient review of a patient’s history before proceeding with treatment. Communication is also important, especially as physicians consider unusual symptoms or cases that could represent more than one potential diagnosis. Diagnostic error is a problem, and collaboration could reduce the rates of these instances.
Reporting is important for gathering data and understanding the primary causes of medical mistakes. However, there can be an unwillingness to report because of the potential for legal action. An individual dealing with the impact of a medical error on their health might choose to file legal action for medical malpractice, and failure of the provider in such a situation to report their errors could prompt more decisive action on the part of an injured party or their legal representative.
