A John Hopkins study proclaimed that medical malpractice was the third leading cause of death in the US, but the study data has since been questioned as flawed. Nevertheless, medical malpractice is the cause of a great number of deaths each year, with some experts saying errors cost the healthcare system between $35.7 and $45 billion annually.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is negligence committed by a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional that results in injury, harm, or death to a patient. General surgeons are most likely to be sued, with 90% of those surveyed in one study being the sole or co-defendant in a lawsuit filed by a medical malpractice attorney.
Preventing medical errors and malpractice is a crucial goal for enhancing patient safety and the quality of healthcare. Here are some key ways that medical malpractice can be prevented:
Improve Communication Between Medical Staff
Lack of proper communication between doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers is a major contributing factor in many medical errors. Important patient information can be missed when medical staff do not effectively communicate with one another, especially during shift changes. Hospitals and clinics need to have clear procedures and protocols for handoffs, consultations and sharing patient data between staff members. Using integrated electronic health records rather than paper files can also improve access to up-to-date patient information for all care providers.
Utilize Checklists and Protocols
Many cases of medical malpractice involve basic errors that could have been prevented with the use of checklists or protocols for certain procedures and treatments. Surgeries, administering medication, inserting IVs, and other medical processes should have step-by-step protocols that are carefully followed by staff. Checklists can act as guides that ensure each necessary step is completed, and that no mistakes are made in the process.
Encourage Reporting of Errors
Most doctors and nurses want to provide quality care but may be afraid to report errors or near misses, worrying about potential consequences. Healthcare organizations need to encourage staff to report all mistakes, near misses and safety concerns without fear of retribution. This allows the organization to analyze what went wrong and why and make systemic changes to prevent the same errors from happening again.
Provide Ongoing Staff Training
Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals need regular, ongoing training to keep their skills sharp and keep up with the latest medical knowledge and techniques. Outdated practices or lack of familiarity with new technologies or procedures can lead to mistakes. Hospitals and clinics should provide regular skills workshops, seminars, simulations and other training to refresh staff knowledge.
Improve Staffing Levels
Medical errors are more likely to occur when staff are overworked, burnt out and stretched too thin on long shifts. Efforts to improve staffing levels, reduce nurse-patient ratios, and avoid overly long shifts can help prevent fatigue-related errors. Adequate staffing also ensures medical professionals have the support they need.
Prioritize Patient Safety
A strong culture of safety needs to be promoted at every healthcare organization. Patient safety should be emphasized and prioritized over targets, profits or speed. When staff are constantly rushed to get through procedures as quickly as possible, errors can occur. Systems and procedures should be evaluated to ensure that quality of care and safety remains the key priority.
A multi-pronged and systemic approach is needed to protect patients from malpractice.
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