The process for transferring a patient from one provider to another can cause serious injury if information falls through the cracks. “Handoff” is the term used when a patient is being transitioned for care by another provider, team, or service.  As medical care becomes increasingly specialized, more providers may be caring for a patient.  With … Continued

A study from the UK points to ubiquitous, but often preventable medication errors in pediatric units. Medication errors are considered the most common type of medical mistake.  For children, medication errors are particularly dangerous and are estimated to occur three times more often than among adult patients. According to a Sentinel Alert from The Joint … Continued

The devastation of the opioid crises continues, and so do Sackler family efforts to shield themselves from liability for a maelstrom of their own making. These days there are fewer shocking videos of people passed out on grocery store floors or behind the wheel of their car.  The disruption and death of the pandemic supplanted … Continued

New research on the radiology experiences of patients takes a look at a different kind of adverse event—emotional harm. A recent study published in the journal Radiology explored how emotional harm during radiology events can erode patient trust and overall confidence in medical treatment. When discussing adverse events, we often discuss misdiagnosis, delay in care, … Continued

New research looks at how the dramatic jump in telemedicine due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in communication, patient care, and the potential for medical error. Telehealth is here to stay.  While the use of remote care was steadily growing prior to the pandemic, sudden urgency to socially distance, reduce infection rates, … Continued

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal morbidity in the US and the globe.  When unrecognized by providers, PPH can quickly cause disability or death. Approximately 100,000, or three percent, of new mothers experience PPH in the US each year. Recent research suggests the incidence of PPH is rising.  During labor and delivery, … Continued

Understanding bias could help healthcare providers reduce medical mistakes made during the diagnostic process. Diagnostic errors account for a large portion of medical errors.  The evaluative process is used by physicians and Advanced Practice Providers across the medical industry.  The ability—through skill, education, and training—to provide an accurate diagnosis is a fundamental reason people seek … Continued

Medical mistakes are common.  While most medical errors are never noticed, some mistakes cause injury, prolonged treatment, or death.  After a serious medical error, most institutions initiate a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to explore the event. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Patient Safety Network (PSNet), a root cause analysis is … Continued

When surgical intervention is necessary, most healthcare consumers hope for the best. Recent studies offer insight into neurosurgery and malpractice claims made against the physicians who practice it. Neurosurgery is focused on the nervous system, primarily the brain and the spinal cord. As the brain is the seat of identity and reasoning, and the spinal … Continued