The magnitude of medical errors and patient safety has alerted a national awareness to consumers within our communities. Medical errors cause between 44,000 and 98,000 deaths annually. This is a national crisis, and these are such hot issues that licensed personnel are required (in most states) to take continuing education courses before a renewal of licensure is given. Many errors can be prevented. Environmental factors must be taken into consideration, as well. This lecture will encompass medical errors and patient safety issues and the role of the occupational health nurse in prevention, education, and how to create change and improve safety. Tools will be given for prevention and analysis of such.
Objectives:- Examine sources and types of medical errors.
- Define sentinel event, root cause analysis, and failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis.
- Discuss safety needs of special populations.
- Describe the impact of medical errors on healthcare providers.
