Medical Error
A medical error refers to a failure resulting from a lack of expertise or competence on the part of healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or supporting staff. Such errors can occur during experimental surgical procedures that may lead to patient fatalities or lasting disabilities. Reports indicate a concerning rise in mortality rates due to medical errors globally, particularly in developed nations. In the United States alone, approximately 98,000 deaths each year are attributed to these mistakes. It is the ethical obligation of medical practitioners to prioritize patient safety and rights, exercise caution, and uphold meticulous accuracy in their medical practice.
Causes of Medical Errors
- Failure to adhere to scientific principles during the practice of medicine.
- Lack of precision in work and negligence within the medical field.
- Inadequate patient engagement and concern.
- Existence of personal conflicts between the patient and the healthcare provider or institution.
- Neglect of professional duties and responsibilities in a timely and proper manner.
- Overlooking potential outcomes before initiating diagnosis and treatment.
- Insufficient experience in accurate diagnosis, leading to exacerbation of issues and subsequent errors.
- Lack of attention to remediate adverse outcomes, despite awareness of the mistake.
- Inability to focus and maintain accuracy due to physical and mental exhaustion.
- Involvement of unqualified individuals in medical roles.
- Incorrect medication choices, resulting in the prescription of unsuitable drugs for patients.
- Inappropriate actions taken during hospital visits.
- Delays in treating patients, especially in emergency scenarios.
- Malfunctioning medical devices used for treatment and examination.
- Absence of strict regulations for medical professionals in the event of practices that may endanger patients.
- Entering the practice without completing the necessary training period to ensure adequate experience.
- Lack of access to essential modern medical equipment needed for diagnosis and treatment.
- Neglecting to sterilize surgical instruments due to insufficient oversight.
- Disorganization in practice, including the failure to maintain dedicated medical files for each patient with necessary health information. These files should encapsulate all tests, procedures, and medications undertaken by the patient and must be accessible during patient transfers between facilities.
Types of Medical Errors
- Material Error: This type of error arises from negligence and a failure to exercise the requisite caution during medical duties. Examples include leaving surgical instruments inside a patient or using non-sterilized equipment.
- Technical Error: This error emerges from neglecting medical principles or being uninformed about appropriate practices. An example would be a doctor prescribing a medication that causes an allergic reaction to a patient without prior testing.