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Chapter 3 - Types of Medical Error

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2022

John E. Kello
Affiliation:
Davidson College, North Carolina
Joseph A. Allen
Affiliation:
University of Utah
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Summary

High reliability organizations (HROs) are those in which error control is critical, because the consequences of error can be so catastrophic. Healthcare is a clear example of an HRO, in which error can have catastrophic consequences and must be controlled. It is now widely acknowledged that burnout, so prevalent among healthcare providers, greatly increases the likelihood of error. The main types of medical errors include diagnostic (relatively common), treatment (especially medication errors), preventive, and “other” (e.g., in postoperative care). These types of errors are more likely in fast-paced, high-pressure situations such as intensive care units, emergency departments, and operating rooms. As the coronavirus pandemic has dramatically increased the stress level of healthcare providers at every level, the likelihood of any type of medical error is enhanced. More specifically, recent studies suggest that medication errors made by nurses in ICUs during the pandemic are increasing.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Burned Out Physician
Managing the Stress and Reducing the Errors
, pp. 45 - 66
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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