Physical therapists' perspectives on practice errors in geriatric, neurologic, or orthopedic clinical settings.

While practice errors have been studied extensively in medicine and pharmacy, little research exists in physical therapy. The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of physical therapy practice errors in geriatric, adult neurologic, and orthopedic clinical settings. Thirty physical therapists with three or more years of practice experience participated in the study, representing four geographically distinct regions of the United States. Four focus groups were conducted via guided discussion questions in four different states. Collected data were transcribed and analyzed by using constant comparative method. Data analysis yielded five major themes including: 1) taxonomy of error, 2) aversive outcomes, 3) individual and systematic causes, 4) post hoc actions, and 5) prevention of future errors. Because human errors are inevitable in physical therapy practice, understanding of causes and prevention strategies is necessary to minimize harm to patients. In addition, physical therapists must recognize their role and responsibility in creating a culture of error analysis and error prevention.

Error and patient safety: ethical analysis of cases in occupational and physical therapy practice.

Compared to other health care professions such as medicine, nursing and pharmacy, few studies have been conducted to examine the nature of practice errors in occupational and physical therapy. In an ongoing study to determine root causes, typographies and impact of occupational and physical therapy error on patients, focus group interviews have been conducted across the United States. A substantial number of harmful practice errors and/or other patient safety events (deviations or accidents) have been identified. Often these events have had moral dimensions that troubled the therapist involved. In this article, six of these transcribed cases are analyzed, using predominant bioethical theories, ethical principles and professional codes of ethics. The cases and their analyses are intended to be exemplary, improving the readers' ability to discern and critically address similar such events. Several patient safety strategies are suggested that might have prevented the events described in these cases.