Novice doctors taking on increased responsibility for patients probably account for a yearly spike in fatal medical errors in the United States, according to a study released Wednesday.
Novice doctors taking on increased responsibility for patients probably account for a yearly spike in fatal medical errors in the United States, according to a study released Wednesday.
Suspecting a link between inexperience and medical mistakes, researchers examined nearly a quarter of a million death certificates from the period 1979 to 2006 on which "fatal medication error" was listed as the primary cause of death.
Inhuman Error: Medicine Becomes Poison, Causing Death
Blame it on human error, fate, bad luck or just apathy- What do you say , to yet another shocking case of human error, where a woman dies after being given a medicine that was not meant for her.
Blame it on human error, fate, bad luck or just apathy- What do you say , to yet another shocking case of human error, where a woman dies after being given a medicine that was not meant for her.
July is the month when thousands of young doctors begin medical residences, notes the study, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
The annual peak in deaths did not occur at any other time during the year, or in counties without teaching hospitals, which serve as a training ground for interns.
Stricter Resident Duty Hour Regulations to Prevent Medical Errors Recommended
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has issued a report recommending further restrictions regarding duty hours for resident physicians and other actions to reduce resident fatigue and ensure patient safety.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has issued a report recommending further restrictions regarding duty hours for resident physicians and other actions to reduce resident fatigue and ensure patient safety.
"Our findings provide fresh evidence for re-evaluating responsibilities assigned to new residents and increasing supervision," conclude David Phillips and Gwendolyn Barker, researchers at the University of California at San Diego.
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Risk Factors and Prevention of Medical Errors in Critical Care
Medication errors account for 78% of serious medical errors in the intensive care unit (ICU) but there are strategies that can help reduce errors and improve patient safety.
Medication errors account for 78% of serious medical errors in the intensive care unit (ICU) but there are strategies that can help reduce errors and improve patient safety.
Source-AFP
