Medical errors: An observational study

• Main Author: Kundan Mittal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
• Series: Journal of Pediatric Critical Care
• Subjects: medical errors; negligence
• Online Access: http://www.jpcc.org.in/article.asp?issn=2349-6592;year=2018;volume=5;issue=3;spage=29;epage=32;aulast=Mittal

Introduction: Medical errors or negligence is leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many countries. Preventive and corrective measures can help in reduction of such events thus causing less damage and economic loss. Material and Methods: This was an observational study carried out mainly in emergency and intensive care settings. We could focus only on few areas and less focus was given to medicinal errors and error by staff nurses. Results: Study found that cardiopulmonary skills were mainly responsible for medical errors. Though use of oxygen, device selection, and interpretation of results and immediate action were also other major concerns. Conclusion: Present study highlighted the issue of medical errors and found that many errors are preventable if appropriate actions are taken well in time. There is great need to train the staff and depute separate skilled man-power to record the evets and discuss with health care providers since many of errors cannot be measured in term of loss.