Main Research Findings

Several studies have found that patient safety incidents are common in primary care, with rates ranging from less than 1 to 24 incidents per 100 consultations. 2 . Around 4% of these incidents may be associated with severe harm, which significantly impacts a patient's well-being, including long-term physical or psychological problems or death. 2 . Incidents related to diagnosis and prescribing are most likely to lead to severe harm. 2 . Patient safety incidents are also frequently observed in emergency departments, highlighting the importance of participating in incident reporting to identify and address barriers to safe care. 3 . An analysis of patient safety in medicine reveals that medical errors occur in 20.2% of patients, and adverse events in 10.6%. . Over 80% of adverse events take place in hospitals, with over half occurring in operating rooms and about a third in patient rooms. . Surgical adverse events are present in 14.4% of patients, with potentially preventable ones occurring in 5.2%. 1 . Of these adverse events, 3.6% are fatal, 10.4% are severe, 34.2% are moderate, and 52.5% are minor. 1 .

Reasons for the Cause

Patient safety incidents in primary care can arise from various factors, including medical practitioner mistakes, lack of patient information, and system flaws. 2 . Patient safety incidents in emergency departments are multifaceted, and understanding these causes is crucial for improving safety. 3 . Errors in non-operative management are more frequently reported as causes of adverse events in surgery compared to errors in surgical technique. 1 .

General Causes

Diagnostic Errors

Incorrect diagnoses can lead to the failure to provide appropriate treatment, potentially worsening a patient's condition. 2 .

Prescribing Errors

Mistakes in drug prescriptions or dosages can lead to side effects such as drug overdose or insufficiency. 2 .

Lack of Communication

Insufficient communication between medical professionals, like doctors and patients or doctors and nurses, can contribute to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. 3 .

System Deficiencies

Deficiencies within the medical system can create risk factors that threaten patient safety. 2 . For instance, issues in medical record management systems can result in the missharing of patient information, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. 2 .

Lack of Patient Information

When patients are not adequately informed about their illnesses and treatments, they may not cooperate with treatment, potentially reducing treatment effectiveness. 2 .

Countermeasures for the Cause

Diagnostic Errors

To prevent diagnostic errors, it is essential to thoroughly inquire about the patient's medical history and symptoms and perform appropriate tests. 2 . Seeking a second opinion is also a helpful strategy. 2 .

Prescribing Errors

To avoid prescribing errors, it is necessary to confirm the patient's medication history and be aware of drug interactions. 2 . Additionally, explaining the drug dosage and administration method carefully to the patient is vital. 2 .

Lack of Communication

Preventing communication breakdowns involves attentively responding to patient questions, respecting patient opinions, and promoting team-based healthcare. 3 .

System Deficiencies

Addressing system deficiencies can be achieved through improvements to medical information systems and enhanced education and training for medical professionals. 2 .

Lack of Patient Information

To prevent a lack of patient information, creating patient brochures and websites or hosting patient information sessions can be beneficial. 2 .

Comparison between Studies

Commonalities

Multiple studies agree that patient safety incidents are common in primary care and emergency departments. 2 , 3 . They also concur that diagnostic and prescribing errors have a higher likelihood of leading to serious harm. 2 , 1 .

Differences

Variances in study subjects and methods result in disparities in data on incident rates and severity. 2 , 3 , , 1 . Detailed analyses of causes also differ between studies. 2 , 3 , 1 .

Cautions Regarding Application to Real Life

These research findings provide valuable information for medical professionals to enhance their awareness of patient safety and implement measures to improve it. 2 , 3 . However, due to variations in study subjects and methods, it is crucial to recognize the limitations of each study and apply the results to your work while considering these limitations. 2 , 3 , , 1 .

Limitations of Current Research

These studies might have underreported incidents. 2 , 3 . Moreover, data on incident rates and severity vary across studies, indicating the need for more reliable data. 2 , 3 , , 1 .

Future Research Directions

Research is needed to thoroughly analyze patient safety incidents and identify their underlying causes. 2 , 3 . Further research is also essential to develop effective measures for patient safety and validate their effectiveness. 2 , 3 .

Conclusion

Patient safety incidents are common in primary care and emergency departments, with some having the potential to lead to serious harm. 2 , 3 . Medical professionals must heighten their awareness of patient safety and actively work to prevent incidents. 2 , 3 . Continuing research on patient safety and building a safer medical system are crucial steps forward. 2 , 3 , , 1 .