Medical error

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Misdiagnoses)

Medical error is a preventable adverse effect of care, whether or not it is evident or harmful to the patient. This might include an inaccurate or incomplete diagnosis or treatment of a disease, injury, syndrome, behavior, infection, or other ailment. Globally, it is estimated that 142,000 people died in 2013 from adverse effects of medical treatment; this is an increase from 94,000 in 1990.

Definition[edit | edit source]

The phrase medical error is often used broadly to include all types of issues in health care that produce unintended adverse effects. These are often due to identifiable failures of the system or process, such as mistakes in medical management, and the application of care, including prescribing; order communication; product labeling, packaging, and nomenclature; compounding; dispensing; distribution; administration; education; monitoring; and use.

Types[edit | edit source]

Medical errors can be classified into several types. These include errors of omission, commission, communication, context, and diagnostic errors. Diagnostic errors are the most common type of error in outpatient settings.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Medical errors are often caused by breakdowns in a healthcare system's processes and can be prevented through system improvements. Other causes include lack of communication between healthcare providers, inadequate knowledge, and human error.

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Preventing medical errors involves various strategies, including ensuring proper communication among healthcare providers, using evidence-based medicine in practice, and implementing health information technology.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Medical error Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD