Nurse's Perspective on Handling Medical Errors

Mistakes in the medical field are inevitable, and understanding how to handle them properly is crucial for maintaining patient safety and ensuring ethical practice. As a nurse with over two decades of experience, I have encountered several scenarios where medical errors occurred. This article will discuss best practices for dealing with a doctor or nurse making a mistake, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and improving patient care.

Understanding Medical Errors

Mistakes happen because physicians are not perfect, they are not magicians, and they do not have x-ray vision. If you believe you have been harmed due to a medical error, consider consulting a malpractice attorney for guidance. However, it is important to recognize that most mistakes arise from human error, and they can be mitigated by understanding and addressing the root causes.

The Importance of Trust

Trusting a doctor or modern medicine should not automatically come with the assumption that it is focused on keeping you sick. Instead, explore natural medicine and alternative healing practices that may better align with your needs. However, when a mistake occurs, it is crucial to handle the situation with transparency and accountability.

Reporting a Mistake

If you suspect that a mistake was made due to negligence, you should file a report with the American Medical Association (AMA). Reporting such incidents is essential for improving patient care and ensuring that similar mistakes are avoided in the future.

Steps to Take When a Mistake Happens

When a mistake occurs, here are the steps you should take:

Intervention: Begin with what intervention you can do to reverse the mistake. If medication was given in an incorrect dose, for example, immediate actions should be taken to mitigate any potential harm. Communication: Report the mistake to the doctor or nurse who is taking care of the patient. They may order something to offset the harm caused by the mistake. Communication is key to ensuring that the patient is safe and that everyone is aware of the error. Disclosure: Disclose the information to the patient in an honest and transparent manner. Patients have the right to know about any errors that may have affected their care. Reporting to Employer: Fill out a report through your employer, which will help identify any systemic issues and improve procedures to prevent similar mistakes from happening in the future. This report is not added to the patient's medical records but serves as an internal tool for continuous improvement.

A Personal Experience

During my early days as a nurse, I encountered a situation that taught me the importance of professionalism and accountability. I had a patient who was in pain and required 4 mg of morphine. However, I failed to properly measure the dose and administered 10 mg instead. This was a significant medical error, and I was deeply concerned about the potential consequences.

I immediately called the doctor, who advised me to monitor the patient closely for any signs of respiratory depression. I broke my policy of not engaging in conversations until medication preparation was complete and communicated the mistake to the patient. The patient was relieved and appreciated the honesty, which ultimately helped build trust and confidence in the healthcare system.

This experience reinforced my commitment to transparency and accountability. I adjusted my practices to ensure that conversations regarding patient care were limited to the necessary and relevant parties, and I have since never made another medication error.

By addressing mistakes promptly, reporting them to the appropriate authorities, and implementing internal changes, we can create a safer environment for both patients and healthcare professionals.