Medical error reporting system in the emergency department

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We have evaluated type of medical errors and severity of results in the emergency department (ED). We also analyze the contributory factors of medical errors for the patient's safety and the quality improvement. METHODS: This study the was prospectively performed from May to August 2005. Medical errors that occurred in the ED were reported anonymously by emergency physicians. The type of medical errors and contributory factors were reported. The severity levels of errors were categorized into 5 levels level 1- life threatening consequences; level 2- potentially life or limbs threatening consequences; level 3- serious failure or delay of diagnosis or treatment; level 4- inappropriate or unnecessary delay or treatment; level 5- no harm. RESULTS: The total number of patients admitted in the ED during the study period was 16,513, and 177 errors (1.5 errors/day) reported in 160 patients (9.7/1,000 patients). The most frequently occurring medical error was order omission (18.0%), but interpretation errors (11.3%) resulted in the most serious consequences (3.6+/-1.2). More than half of medical errors were no harm (51.4%). Educational and environmental (61 errors) factors were the most frequent causes of medical errors. CONCLUSION: Medical errors frequently occur in the ED. Reducing ED errors will require the improvement of ED environments, better communication, and reinforcement of education by supervising faculty members.