Medical errors: an introduction to concepts

The prevalence of medical errors in health care systems has generated immense interest in recent years. The research on adverse events in hospitalized populations has consistently revealed high rates of adverse events. Some of these adverse events result from medical errors and a majority of these errors may be preventable. These errors can occur anywhere and at anytime in health care processes. The consequences of these errors may vary from little or no harm to being ultimately fatal to the patients. It is important to recognize that a degree of error is inevitable in any human task and human fallibility in health care should be accepted. The underlying precursors for many of these human errors may primarily be attributed to latent systemic factors inherent in today's increasingly complex health care system. The focus of adverse event analyses on individual shortcomings without appropriate attention to system issues leads to ineffective solutions. The cognitive influence on medical decision-making and error generation is also significant and should not be discounted.     

Intravenous medication errors in the emergency department,knowledge, tendency to make errors and affecting factors: An observational study

BackgroundIntravenous medication errors are common in hospital settings particularly emergency department. This study aimed to determine intravenous medication preparation and administration errors, contributing factors, tendency towards making errors and knowledge level of emergency department healthcare workers.MethodsA cross-sectional study using a structured, direct observation method was conducted. It was conducted with 23 emergency healthcare workers working in the emergency department of a university hospital in Turkey. Data were collected by questionnaires: Knowledge Test on Intravenous Medication Administration, Intravenous Drug Administration Standard Observation Form, Drug and Transfusion Administration Sub-Dimension scale, Perceived Stress Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.ResultsIt was determined that the knowledge level of the emergency healthcare workers about intravenous medication administration was moderate, and the tendency mistakes regarding drug and transfusion applications was very low. There was no relationship between education level, years of work, years of work in the emergency department, perceived stress level and sleep quality, and the tendency of making mistakes in drug and transfusion applications.ConclusionIt is important for patient safety to prevent medication errors by determining the factors affecting intravenous medication administration, tendency to make mistakes and knowledge levels, which are frequently used in emergency department.     

Medical errors: overcoming the challenges

The issue of medical errors has received substantial attention in recent years. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report released in 1999 has several implications for health care systems in all disciplines of medicine. Notwithstanding the plethora of available information on the subject, little, by way of substantive action, is done toward medical error reduction. A principal reason for this may be the stigma associated with medical errors. An educational program with a practical, informed, and longitudinal approach offers realistic solutions toward this end. Effective reporting systems need to be developed as a medium of learning from the errors and modifying behaviors appropriately. The presence of a strong leadership supported by organizational commitment is essential in driving these changes. A national, provincial or territorial quality care council dedicated solely for the purpose of enhancing patient safety and medical error reduction may be formed to oversee these efforts. The bioethical and emotional components associated with medical errors also deserve attention and focus.     

Classification of reasons for rejection of biological specimens based on pre-preanalytical processes to identify quality indicators at a university hospital clinical laboratory in Turkey

Objectives

Specific types of error should be identified and corrected in each laboratory to ensure quality results. The objectives of this study were:

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to identify and classify the causes of biological specimen rejections,

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to determine the specimen rejection rates (SRRs) in terms of pre-preanalytical errors and with respect to collection areas, and

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to identify an appropriate quality indicator (QI) for the preanalytical phase in a university hospital clinical laboratory.

Design and methods

Data on rejected biological specimens in the laboratory information system from January 2013 to January 2014 were analyzed. SSRs according to the type of pre-preanalytical error and collection area were determined.

Results

In total, 971,780 biological specimens were received during the period and 26,070 (2.7%) specimens were rejected based on our laboratory rejection criteria. The most frequent reason for the rejection was the clotted specimen (55.8% of total rejections), followed by inadequate volume (29.3% of total rejections). Most of the clotted specimens were received from adult hospital inpatient services (54.3%), followed by pediatric hospital inpatient services (26.8%). High rates of inadequate volume were also observed in samples originating from adult and pediatric hospital inpatient services, especially in the premature, neonatal, intensive care, and oncology units.

Conclusions

The SSR of clotted specimens was selected as the QI for the preanalytical phase in our laboratory. The selected QI will help to define the effects of our specific interventions and corrective actions, and thus allow monitoring of quality improvement in our hospitals.     

A baseline assessment of patient safety culture and its associated factors from the perspective of critical care nurses: Results from 10 hospitals

IntroductionCritical care nurses are considered the key to patient safety improvement and play a vital role in enhancing quality of care in intensive care units (ICUs) where adverse events are frequent and have severe consequences. Moreover, there is recognition of the importance of the assessment and the development of patient safety culture (PSC) as a strategic focus for the improvement of patient safety and healthcare quality, notably in critical care settings.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess critical care nurses' perception of PSC and to determine its associated factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses working in the ICUs of the Tunisian centre (six Tunisian governorates). The study instrument was the French validated version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture questionnaire, comprising 10 dimensions and a total of 50 items.ResultsA total of 249 nurses from 18 ICUs participated in the study, with a participation rate of 87.36%. The dimensions scores ranged between 17.2% for the dimension “frequency of events reported” and 50.1% for the dimension “teamwork within units”. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that respondents who worked in private hospitals were five times more likely to have a developed PSC (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 5.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], [2.28, 12.51]; p < 10^–3). Similarly, participants who worked in a certified hospital were two times more likely to have a more developed PSC than respondents who work in noncertified hospitals (AOR: 2.51; 95% CI, [.92–6.82]; p = 0.041). In addition, an increased nurse-per-patient ratio (i.e., reduced workload) increased PSC (AOR: 1.10; 95% CI, [1.02–1.12]; p = 0.018).ConclusionThis study has shown that the state of critical care nurses' PSC is critically low and these baseline results can help to form a plan of actions for improvements.     

The effect of a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction program on strengthening awareness of medical errors and risks among nursing students

InformationHealthcare professionals' awareness of medical errors and risks results in effective medical error reporting and patient safety. Mindfulness has positive effects on strengthening attention and awareness. However, little is known about the use of mindfulness in patient safety education among nursing students. This study aimed to examine if a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction program would have a beneficial impact on (a) medical error attitudes, (b) the number of medical errors and risks in a simulation environment, and (c) self-confidence and satisfaction among nursing students.MethodsA quasi-experimental design with a control group was conducted with 78 third-year nursing students at a private, accredited, nursing program in Istanbul, Türkiye.ResultsThere was a statistically significant improvement in the intervention group between the pre-test and post-test for medical error attitudes (p < 0.001), and the number of medical errors and risks in a simulation environment (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in the intervention and control groups for self-confidence and satisfaction (p > 0.05).ConclusionThese results suggest that a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction program positively strengthens nursing students' awareness of medical errors and risks.     

Missed nursing care in emergency departments: A scoping review

BackgroundPatient safety is a global health priority. Errors of omission, such as missed nursing care in hospitals, are frequent and may lead to adverse events. Emergency departments (ED) are especially vulnerable to patient safety errors, and the significance missed nursing care has in this context is not as well known as in other contexts.AimThe aim of this scoping review was to summarize and disseminate research about missed nursing care in the context of EDs.MethodA scoping review following the framework suggested by Arksey and O’Malley was used to (1) identify the research question; (2) identify relevant studies; (3) select studies; (4) chart the data; (5) collate, summarize, and report the results; and (6) consultation.ResultsIn total, 20 themes were derived from the 55 included studies. Missed or delayed assessments or other fundamental care were examples of missed nursing care characteristics. EDs not staffed or dimensioned in relation to the patient load were identified as a cause of missed nursing care in most included studies. Clinical deteriorations and medication errors were described in the included studies in relation to patient safety and quality of care deficiencies. Registered nurses also expressed that missed nursing care was undignified and unsafe.ConclusionThe findings from this scoping review indicate that patients’ fundamental needs are not met in the ED, mainly because of the patient load and how the ED is designed. According to registered nurses, missed nursing care is perceived as undignified and unsafe.     

The ethics and practical importance of defining, distinguishing and disclosing nursing errors: a discussion paper

Nurses globally are required and expected to report nursing errors. As is clearly demonstrated in the international literature, fulfilling this requirement is not, however, without risks. In this discussion paper, the notion of 'nursing error', the practical and moral importance of defining, distinguishing and disclosing nursing errors and how a distinct definition of 'nursing error' fits with the new 'system approach' to human-error management in health care are critiqued. Drawing on international literature and two key case exemplars from the USA and Australia, arguments are advanced to support the view that although it is 'right' for nurses to report nursing errors, it will be very difficult for them to do so unless a non-punitive approach to nursing-error management is adopted.     

Using experience-based co-design to prioritise areas for improvement for patients recovering from critical illness

ObjectivesCritical illness recovery is a journey; from intensive care unit to hospital ward to home. However, evidence is limited on how best to enable recovery from critical illness. This study aimed to prioritise areas for improvement in care and services for patients recovering from critical illness.Research designThis study used experience-based co-design. Service users and providers worked in partnership to identify and prioritise service improvements for patients who had survived an episode of critical illness.MethodQualitative interviews were carried out with patients (n = 10) who had experienced critical illness, and staff (n = 9) who had experienced caring for patients in the intensive care unit. Key patient touchpoints were identified and used to produce a film, reflecting the critical illness journey. A patient feedback event incorporated an emotional mapping exercise, to identify key points during the recovery journey. A joint patient/family (n = 10) and staff (n = 10) event was held to view the film and identify priorities for improvements.FindingsEmotional mapping highlighted areas where services were not synchronised with patients’ needs. Four patient-focussed priorities for service improvement emerged 1. Improving the critical care experience, 2. Addressing patients’ emotional and psychological needs, 3. Positioning patients at the centre of services and 4. Building a supportive framework for recovery.ConclusionEvidence-based co-design was used successfully in this study to identify priorities for improvements for patients recovering from critical illness. This approach positions patients at the centre of service improvements and realigns care delivery around what matters most to patients. Person-centred care provision underpins all identified priorities.Implications for clinical practiceIntensive care unit staff should get to know patients and their families by talking more to patients and families about their care and engaging in more non-medical conversations. Emotional and psychological support should be provided to aid rehabilitation and recovery from critical illness in the intensive care unit, on general wards, and in the community. Information and services should be available when patients need them, rather than at fixed time points or settings. Recovery services should focus on enabling and building the self-efficacy of patients to empower them to be in control of their recovery journey.     

Analytical interferences and analytical quality

In today's health care system the prevalence of medical errors is high as stated by the report of the Institute of Medicine. A varying error rate of < 10% in clinical medical laboratories has been reported in the literature. Most of these errors occur in the pre-analytical phase. Only a small number of errors will be seen in the analytical phase. This overview will deal with the analytical interferences and will offer ways to improve the analytical quality. Some special areas of the analytical process like calibration, quality control, reference interval, drug interference, statistical analysis and volume displacement will be covered. With some examples from the literature and own investigations the impact of errors in these steps of the analytical process will be better understood and the examples will help reducing the number of analytical errors and interferences. This finally provides better patient safety.     

上海市临床实验室质量管理体系规划和初步建设

目的　初步建立上海市临床实验室质量管理体系。方法　在检验试剂、仪器、项目、人员、室内质量控制和室间质量评价等 6个方面加强监督、管理和服务。结果　 (1)参与了上海市食品药品监督管理局组织的临床检验类仪器、试剂注册过程中的企业标准审核、型式试验和临床试验 ;(2 )对上海市物价局核准收费的 6 0 0余项临床检验项目组织专家评审 ,提出了基本、参考和建议取消项目 ;(3)上海市各级医院检验人员参加质量培训的人次大幅度增加 ;(4 )参加上海市地区性室内质量控制和室间质量评价的医院数量逐年增多 ;(5 )上海市各级医院盲点调查及现场检查合格情况逐年好转。结论　上海市各级医院临床实验室管理水平已经有了一定程度的提高 ,但还有不少问题有待进一步解决。     

The beginning of the second decade of the era of patient safety: Implications and roles for the clinical laboratory and laboratory professionals

Providing high quality, effective laboratory services is not new to the laboratory profession. The laboratory began examining its analytical quality in the 1920s when the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) began a voluntary proficiency testing (PT) program with that was the predecessor of the College of American Pathologist's current PT program. The program focuses primarily on analytic quality, 1 of the 3 phases of what has become known as the “total testing process,” a cyclical process conceptualized by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that provides a framework for assessing quality of laboratory services. Laboratory testing is particularly essential in the practice of medical genetics. The translation of human genomic research into clinical practice has resulted in a rapidly expanding portfolio of DNA-based tests for heritable conditions and markers of drug metabolism. This creates an opportunity for laboratory professionals with genetic training but also brings with it a threat to the quality of care that might result from inappropriate use of unfamiliar, costly and inappropriate testing. As for conventional laboratory tests, there is the need to identify and control all phases of the “total genetic testing process.” An agenda for the second decade of the era of patient safety must be developed and here we offer a few key areas for practice improvement in laboratory medicine.     

A multicenter,prospective evaluation of quality of care and mortality in Japan based on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines

To elucidate the standard Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines-based quality of care and mortality related to severe sepsis in Japan, we conducted a multicenter, prospective, observational study using a new web-based database between June 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011. A total of 1104 patients with severe sepsis were enrolled from 39 Japanese emergency and critical care centers. All-cause hospital mortality was 29.3% in patients with severe sepsis and 40.7% in patients with septic shock. Pulmonary, renal, hepatic, and hematological dysfunctions were associated with significantly higher mortality, and hematological dysfunction, especially coagulopathy, was associated with the highest odds ratio for mortality. Compliance with severe sepsis bundles in our study was generally low compared with that in a previous international sepsis registry study, and glycemic control was associated with lowest odds ratio for mortality. Despite higher complication rates of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and low compliance with severe sepsis bundles on the whole, mortality in our study was similar to that in the international sepsis registry study. From these results, we concluded that our prospective multicenter study was successful in evaluating SSC guidelines-based standard quality of care and mortality related to severe sepsis in Japan. Although mortality in Japan was equivalent to that reported worldwide in the above-mentioned international sepsis registry study, compliance with severe sepsis bundles was low. Thus, there is scope for improvement in the initial treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock in Japanese emergency and critical care centers.