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Spotlight on Patient Safety
Preventing Medical Errors
Overview
The obvious response to the question, “How do we prevent medical errors?” is “Be more careful.” But this assumes that errors are simply the result of momentary lapses in judgment by the physician or other member of the health care team. In reality, most significant medical errors are not the result of isolated lapses, but of the breakdown of an entire sequence of events in the delivery of health care. Because of this breakdown, those steps at which the error would normally be detected fail to function because the previous steps malfunctioned, and the whole system collapses like a line of dominoes.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, a physician should be able to:
1. Identify instances of miscommunication that contribute to medical errors.
2. Understand how formalized protocols can improve patient safety.
3. Know how to respond when an error occurs.
4. Communicate with patients and family members if an error occurs.
5. Document medical errors in an appropriate manner.
6. Discuss four ways to prevent medication errors.
7. Suggest ways to avoid errors associated with four common diagnoses.
Target Audience
This course is designed for physicians of all specialties who want to limit their liability, improve patient safety and reduce medical errors.
Methodology
This is a self-study course consisting of text and CME test. Physicians should read the course content, answer the test questions and submit the answers for scoring. Those who complete the course with a score of 80 percent or higher will earn a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 creditsTM.
Faculty/Author
This course was developed by Rosemary Gafner, Ed.D. Dr. Gafner’s CV is available on request or online at https://www.medrisk.com/Medrisk/Faculty/CV/default.aspx.
CME Information
Medical Risk Management, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education for physicians. Medical Risk Management, Inc.designates this continuing medical education activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 creditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their PARTICIPATION in the activity.
This activity is valid for release May 1, 2007 and expires on April 30, 2010.
Commercial Support
This activity was developed solely by Medical Risk Management, Inc. without any outside commercial support.
Nursing CE Information
CorExcel is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Satisfactory completion of the test will earn the nurse 14.3 contact hours.
 Please check with your insurance carrier for approved courses before registering. Courses not approved by your insurance carrier will not be accepted by them for any discounts they may offer.
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