Tag: Medical errors

Advance of AI in nursing prompts safety, autonomy concerns

Editor's Note Although hospitals are already integrating artificial intelligence (AI), nurses warn that the technology may undermine their expertise and compromise patient care, The Associated Press (AP) reported March 16. The push for AI in healthcare stems from widespread nursing shortages. More than 100,000 nurses left the workforce during the…

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By: Matt Danford
March 17, 2025
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Analysis: How the new US malpractice standard puts evidence-based ‘reasonable care’ over customary practice

Editor's Note A February 26 letter in JAMA Network reported a revised legal standard for medical negligence in the US, shifting from traditional reliance on customary practice toward a more patient-centered, evidence-based definition of “reasonable care.” The American Law Institute (ALI) updated its framework in 2024, retaining elements of prevailing…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
March 12, 2025
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Medical gaslighting tops ECRI’s 2025 patient safety threat list

Editor's Note Misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and a breakdown of trust in healthcare can all result from time and resource constraints preventing proper engagement with patients—a concern that tops ECRI’s list of the most significant patient safety risks for 2025. As detailed in the global healthcare safety nonprofit’s March 10 announcement,…

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By: Matt Danford
March 11, 2025
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New legal standard redefines medical negligence

JAMA (healthcare publication) Network logo

Editor's Note A revised legal standard for assessing medical negligence in the US shifts away from customary medical practice and toward a more patient-centered definition of reasonable care, according to a February 26 letter published in Jama Network. Following a 2024 update from the American Law Institute, the new framework…

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By: Matt Danford
March 7, 2025
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Criminalizing anesthesia errors has unintended consequences, experts warn

Editor's Note Treating unintended anesthesia errors as criminal acts could exacerbate workforce shortages, increase malpractice costs, and drive clinicians to defensive medicine, according to experts quoted in a January 15 report from Anesthesiology News. Instead, fostering a culture of safety and learning could more effectively reduce errors and improve patient…

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By: Matt Danford
February 5, 2025
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Health data inaccuracies cost millions, threaten care quality

Editor's Note Healthcare data inaccuracies occur at rates as high as 26.9% in hospitals, with related inefficiencies costing providers up to $20 million annually, HealthLeaders reported January 8. According to the article, these inaccuracies stem from factors such as data entry mistakes, outdated information, inconsistent data standards, and system integration…

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By: Matt Danford
January 13, 2025
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Study finds high rates of preventable, adverse events in perioperative care

Editor's Note Adverse events (AEs) remain widespread in perioperative care, affecting nearly one in three patients and resulting in substantial and often preventable patient harm, according to a retrospective cohort study published November 13 in The BMJ. The study analyzed 1,009 weighted admissions from a sample of 64,121 surgical patients…

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By: Matt Danford
November 19, 2024
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Hospital safety grades show progress in reducing medical errors, infections

Editor's Note During the past few years, US hospitals have improved significantly in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), adhering to hand hygiene best practices, and preventing medical errors, according to the fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit focused on patient safety. Released November 15, the rankings…

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By: Matt Danford
November 15, 2024
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Study: Improper arm positioning during blood pressure measurements can lead to hypertension overdiagnosis

JAMA (healthcare publication) Network logo

Editor's Note A recent randomized crossover trial conducted at Johns Hopkins University reveals that improper arm positioning during blood pressure measurements can lead to significant overestimation, potentially contributing to over-diagnosis of hypertension. The findings appeared in Jama Network October 7. The study, which included 133 participants, compared readings in three…

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By: Matt Danford
October 9, 2024
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Study: OR noise raises risk of surgical error

Editor's Note Often exceeding federal safety limits, OR noise contributes significantly to communication breakdowns, heightened cognitive load, and increased surgical errors, according to a review of literature published September 17 in Cureus. Identified noise sources include surgical instruments, alarms, and staff conversations, which can reach up to 120 decibels (dBA)—a…

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By: Matt Danford
September 23, 2024
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