Patient Safety

Patient Safety

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Institution:

Patient Safety

Medical Error

Boothman delves into the common practice of medical malpractice that is replicated in various hospitals. The author asserts that the lack of sincerity on the patients, healthcare providers, institutions, and even lawyers denies stakeholders an opportunity to solve this problem thereby raising the difficulty in claim making. Medical negligence is seen as a deliberate act of laxity, which leads to the forgetfulness of a surgical tool or even wrong diagnosis. While the article emphasizes that such errors can never be justifiable, it attempts to make a distinction between the genuine desire to seek compensation and the malice that drives others to contradict this mantra. As such, it identifies the fear of liability as a driving force for the lack of greater patient safety policies in most hospitals (Boothman, 2009). The strategy of denying and defending oneself against medical errors employed by most healthcare facilities is highlighted as the facilitator of such unethical behavior. Accountability from caregivers is vital for evaluation of the causes of medical errors due to their sworn oath to protect lives. Creation of realistic and accurate expectations of the treatment as well as prioritization of patient care needs after such botched operations are cited as mandatory to reduce the legal process. The article is, therefore, insightful in laying an emphasis on honesty as the determinant of safe patient-nurse relationships while claims of the “deny and defend” doctrine are new concepts contained therein. Adoption of a positive and well-meaning attitude would be the basis for future work to improve patient safety while lowering the risk of legal redress.

Adverse Event

The medical profession is dynamic and Levinson’s assertion of adverse events being potential situations in which a patient’s life is in temporary, or permanent danger reinforces this notion. He notes that some of the experiences may require interventions due to the harm caused to the patient while others are just mild. The author singles out the occurrence of errors that do not reach the patient against those that do through conducting reviews of medical records as the surest way to identify and prevent these events. Levinson’s article, however, recommends an increase in the frequency of such reviews, strengthening of Medicare’s HAC policy and requiring hospitals to be under PSO supervision as remedies to correcting these problems. The piece also details the various harmful things that may qualify as adverse events and even provides a distinction between “never events” such as surgery on the wrong patient (Levinson, 2010). As a medical problem, the author argues for the need to prevent their occurrence because the consequences could be detrimental to all stakeholders too. It is thus evident that stricter regulations on the governing of patient care are needed to tackle this rising problem. The article is helpful in illustrating the importance of constant medical reviews because it offers a glimpse into the chances of repetition of adverse events within medical facilities. The concepts articulated are thus applicable in a working environment whereby concentration in any treatment is integral in preventing the deterioration of a patient’s condition. It is, therefore, an objective evaluation of the need for enforcement of available rules to ensure conformity is uniform across the board.

Near Miss

Caregivers are accustomed to emergencies, but the author prioritizes their need to be vigilant, an exhibition of patient safety actions, identification of risk areas as well as recognition of situations needing improvements. The associations cite the lack of proper documentation as a hindrance to establishing the frequency of fatalities due to medical mistakes too. They highlight the facilitators of near miss experiences in which patients’ lives are momentarily placed in danger such as poor staffing decisions, inappropriate ages of nurses, and slower pace of work and wrongful transition between permanent and casual shifts. It is their considered opinion that proper communication and collaboration amongst hospital staff could help to avert such a crisis. In fact, the authors prefer a consultative process that incorporates nurses’ and managements’ concerns, as well as the patients’ input especially since the latter, can act as whistleblowers for correcting medical errors. Whereas the above are listed as potential solutions, the adoption of advanced technology and changing of the corporate culture are also identified as better ways of enhancing data collection for modification of the institution’s routine. The article, however, notes that the protection of patient safety needs to be a continuous process and nurses are vital in its improvement because they are knowledgeable in this field (Canadian Nurses Association, 2004). It is evident that the regulators prefer the input of all stakeholders in the healthcare system to prevent medical errors, some of which are deadly such as near-miss experiences. The article provides an in-depth understanding of the latter experiences and identifies issues such as fatigue as the main causes. It is, therefore, a reminder that overworking should be avoided since that would cloud one’s judgment thereby leading to the creation of a deadly situation. While the interventions sought under such circumstances may reverse the patient’s condition sometimes that could be overcome by events.

References

Boothman, R. (2009). A Better Approach to Medical Malpractice Claims? Journal of Health and Life Sciences Law, vol. 2(2), pp. 126-159.

Canadian Nurses Association. (2004). Nurses and Patient Safety.

Levinson, D. (2010). Adverse Events in Hospitals: National Incidences among Medicare Beneficiaries.