Abstracts » Health

Errors but no trials

Article Abstract:

Adopting a positive approach to drug errors can bring many benefits, as shown by a trial which has been running since 1995 at the Princes Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, England. At this hospital, clinicians are encouraged to report their errors and occasions when they have almost made an error, and are thanked for doing so. The incidents are investigated at ward level by clinical pharmacists who anonymously make a report to a multidisciplinary committee. This allows trends to be identified and plays a significant role in ensuring that similar errors are not made again.

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An injection of danger

Article Abstract:

The rapid pace of change in many UK hospitals, along with frequent staff changes and new roles for nurses are factors which are serving to increase the potential for drug errors, according to recent research. In some cases, errors are made because doctors use abbreviations or confuse drugs, while problems can also arise if nurses are not trained to use new equipment such as infusion pumps. Some observers believe that hospitals should now adopt failure-mode analysis and no-fault reporting in order to prevent this problem becoming even more serious.

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Oh God, what have I done?

Article Abstract:

Most UK hospitals will instantly dismiss a nurse who admits to having made a drug administration error, and will report the incident to the UKCC as a case of professional misconduct. The UK believes that this approach has a negative impact, as it prevents valuable lessons being made from these errors. It feels that punishing people who make drug errors will deter others who make errors from admitting their mistake, which could in turn have a dangerous outcome for the patient concerned.

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