Overview

In an environment in which the very term “medical error” is often viewed as tantamount to “malpractice suit,” healthcare professionals are understandably reluctant to go looking for circumstances that might later be used against them in court.  Yet it’s only by identifying and correcting such issues early on that systems failures can be prevented. The purpose of this course is to examine how systems failures arise and what you can do to prevent simple errors and oversights from deteriorating into major patient injuries.

Objectives

When they complete this course, physicians should be able to:

1. Explain what a systems failure is, and how it differs from a simple error.
2. Explain why human errors can be managed but never eliminated entirely.
3. Describe documentation and communication practices that can help prevent human errors as well as aid in identifying and correcting such errors before they result in patient injury.
4. Explain how root cause analysis works, and how it can be used to resolve sources of recurrent errors.
5. Provide examples of nondelegable duties of the physician that frequently lead to lawsuits because the physician assigns them to others.
6. Explain how the SBAR communication model works, and how it can help prevent systems failures.
Target Audience

This course is for physicians of all specialties who to avoid systems failures that can lead to patient harm.

Methodology

This is a self-study course.  Users read the course material and answer test questions.  Those who pass the test with a score of 80 percent or better will earn CME credit.

Faculty/Author
This course was developed by Rosemary Gafner, Ed.D.  Dr. Gafner’s CV is available on request or online at https://www.medrisk.com/Medrisk/Faculty/CV/default.aspx.

CME Information
Medical Risk Management, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education for physicians.  Medical Risk Management, Inc.designates this continuing medical education activity for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 creditsTM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity is valid for release March 1, 2008 and expires on February 28, 2011.

Commercial Support

This activity was developed solely by Medical Risk Management, Inc. without any outside commercial support.

Please check with your insurance carrier for approved courses before registering.  Courses not approved by your insurance carrier will not be accepted by them for any discounts they may offer.