What are 5 top tips to reduce medical mistakes?
We all make mistakes. We all want to reduce our medical errors. But how?
Well you are reading this. So that’s a start. In this article will well describe how to reduce medical errors.
Most mistakes in medicine are due to poor communication, poor observation of the patient or poor prescribing. Communication is the most important of the three. Mistakes are rarely due to lack of knowledge or caring. Medical errors can be further subdivided into these 5 types.
Key points (and causes of medical error)
- Memory
- Apply rules
- Communication (communication, communication)
- Skills (includes observation and prescribing)
- Bias.
Or .. as we say at CKDEx .. “MACK-B” errors occur .. so focus on preventing them
Oh yes. Frustratingly, most doctors peak at aged 50-55 years – yes, quite old. Irritating, isn’t it? You may be decades off that. Be patient and you will get there.
1. Memory
How to reduce this error
- Keep a diary – physical or cyber – and use it
- Don’t leave tasks for the next day that you can do today. You may forget
- If you have an area of your work where you just forget things, create something you can access quickly (e.g. a note on your phone, construct your own website or blog) where you know you can find the answers.
2. Apply rules
How to reduce this error
You need to know your local and national guidelines that cover your work. You should apply these most of the time. Or if you are working outside them, know why you are doing that and consider informing the patient.
3. Communication (communication, communication). THE BIG ONE.
How to reduce this error
Poor communication is the most common cause of medical error
But how?
Top Tip 1. Sit with good communicators. This is one of the best ways of improving your communication skills – take notes, use their phrases, body language and tricks of the trade
Top Tip 2. Communication skills courses – go on one. You can go to improve your skills. If you think you have a problem, definitely go on one. Volunteer before you are sent on one!
Top Tip 3. Written complaint – take these very seriously. If a patient makes one about you, this is:
- Serious – so take it seriously. Inform your line manager. It takes a lot of courage to write a complaint about a doctor (or other health professional). They are probably angry and it is usually due to ..
- Your poor communication skills
- They are right – 95%+ of the time
- A very good way that you can learn and improve.
4. Skills
How to reduce this error
This is a more technical issue. You either have the skills or you don’t. Others will be better than you. Read alot. Read journals and books, go on courses, go to conferences regularly. Practice (practice practice) and you will improve. They takes decades (sorry).
You can start by aiming for excellent observation and prescribing skills. You can do that even without huge experience.
5. Bias
How to reduce this error
These are the 5 types of bias.
As a doctor, you need to be modest, be able to self-reflect all the time, and recognise your biases – asking yourself why is that your answer? What are your biases (generally and today). Could you be wrong? Are you tired? Try looking at it from another angle.
What happens if you either a. do the opposite or b. do nothing? Are you still unsure? If so, discuss the patient with a colleague (who has never seen the patient), ask them to see the patient if necessary – either way, they will come from a non-biased view point.
You need to make errors
This is one of the hardest lessons a a good doctor has to learn – sometimes the hard way. Yes those errors will stay on your conscience. It is the burden a doctor carries. These are CKDEx’s mantras.
CKDEx Mantra 1
“If you have not made many mistakes, you have not seen enough patients, and taken enough controlled risks in unwell patients. You need to see more patients, on the wards, clinics, A&E, everywhere.”
CKDEx Mantra 2 (especially related to reducing errors)
“1. Work very hard and enjoy it, or you will not get enough experience to be a good (or one day great) doctor, and reduce your errors
2. Be kind and caring
3. Show that you care (make written records of that, yes, its possible) .. and remember its about them.”
.. remember people will usually forgive you if you work hard, show that you care and say sorry.
Last Reviewed on 2 May 2024