Document Detail


Improving Reporting of Outpatient Pediatric Medical Errors.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22106082     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Objective:Limited information exists about medical errors in ambulatory pediatrics and on effective strategies for improving their reporting. We aimed to implement nonpunitive error reporting, describe errors, and use a team-based approach to promote patient safety in an academic pediatric practice.Patients and Methods:The setting was an academic general pediatric practice in Charlotte, North Carolina, that has ∼26 000 annual visits and primarily serves a diverse, low-income, Medicaid-insured population. We assembled a multidisciplinary patient safety team to detect and analyze ambulatory medical errors by using a reporter-anonymous nonpunitive process. The team used systems analysis and rapid redesign to evaluate each error report and recommend changes to prevent patient harm.Results:In 30 months, 216 medical errors were reported, compared with 5 reports in the year before the project. Most reports originated from nurses, physicians, and midlevel providers. The most frequently reported errors were misfiled or erroneously entered patient information (n = 68), laboratory tests delayed or not performed (n = 27), errors in medication prescriptions or dispensing (n = 24), vaccine errors (n = 21), patient not given requested appointment or referral (n = 16), and delay in office care (n = 15), which together comprised 76% of the reports. Many recommended changes were implemented.Conclusions:A voluntary, nonpunitive, multidisciplinary team approach was effective in improving error reporting, analyzing reported errors, and implementing interventions with the aim of reducing patient harm in an outpatient pediatric practice.
Authors:
Daniel R Neuspiel; Erin H Stubbs; Lori Liggin
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-11-21
Journal Detail:
Title:  Pediatrics     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1098-4275     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-11-22     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0376422     Medline TA:  Pediatrics     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Levine Children's Hospital, Charlotte, North Carolina.
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