Medical Error
what is "The failure of a planed action to be completed as intended ,Use of wrong plan to achieve an aim"?
the definition of medical error.
True or False: All medical errors are malpractice.
false
Name three common types of medical errors that may occur in clinical practice?
Diagnostic errors, medication-related errors, and surgical errors....
When should medical errors be disclosed to patients?
As soon as possible after the patient is medically stable.
In Case 1 (medical student error), what was one key mistake made by the senior physician?
Leaving the student unsupervised.
Why is it important to distinguish between near misses and harmful medical errors?
Near misses: Opportunities to learn and improve without harm.
Harmful errors: Require immediate action to address harm and prevent further impact
True or False: Most patients sue because of financial gain.
False.
Most lawsuits stem from poor
communication or unmet expectations.
A patient receives the wrong dosage of medication due to a miscalculation. What type of error is this?
A medication-related error.
Who should take the lead in disclosing a medical error?
The physician responsible for the patient's care.
In Case 2 (misdiagnosis), what step should have been taken before aggressive treatment?
Re-checking and confirming the diagnosis.
Name 2 reasons why reporting medical error is important?
(answer may vary)
1- to improve patient safety
2- to prevent future harm
3- promote public trust
Name one situation where a medical error would not be considered malpractice.
When the error occurs despite following the standard of care.
A blood transfusion is administered too quickly, leading to congestive heart failure. What type of error does this represent?
A fluid-related error.
What is the practical approach to disclosing medical errors?
Explain the error clearly, offer support, and outline steps to prevent recurrence.
What compensation should be offered to the patient in Case 2?
Fair restitution and a full explanation of the error.
which is reported more frequently in healthcare (medical errors or a near miss)?
reporting of a near miss occurs with grater frequency and has fewer barriers to data collection .
True or False: Physicians in high-risk specialties, such as surgery or obstetrics, face higher malpractice premiums
true
BONUS
CONGRATS!!!
What are patients entitled to know during disclosure?
What happened, why it happened, its implications, and how it will be prevented in the future.
In both cases, what is the immediate action that should follow the realization of an error?
Inform higher authorities and disclose to the patient and family
what % of medical error in health care are considered preventable?
100%
ME is also defined as a preventable adverse medical event so all errors are considered preventable and not primarily a result of the disease process.
BONUS
CONGRATS!!!
How is a "near miss" different from a harmful medical error?
A near miss is an error caught or corrected before it reaches the patient, while a harmful error causes actual injury to the patient.
How can empathy during disclosure strengthen the physician-patient relationship?
It demonstrates acknowledgment of harm and builds trust.
What are the key ethical principles violated in both cases?
Autonomy, justice, and non-maleficence