As a New Jersey doctor or healthcare facility, you want what’s best for your patients and to help them live long, healthy lives. Unfortunately, preventable errors not only cause severe harm to patients but also erode trust in the healthcare system and lead to expensive, time-consuming malpractice lawsuits. More than one-third of U.S. doctors have faced a malpractice claim at some point in their careers, according to the American Medical Association, a concerning figure illustrating how common medical errors are.
Given that we live in a lawsuit-driven culture, how do you prevent medical errors and protect your patients? It starts with creating a culture of safety, and these strategies can help you build that culture at your practice.
Encourage Reporting of Errors or Near Misses to Learn from Them
Creating a safety-first environment is vital for reducing medical errors. Healthcare organizations should implement non-punitive reporting systems encouraging staff to disclose errors and near misses. Open discussions about these incidents during team meetings can highlight systemic weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. Additionally, leadership must model accountability and support a culture of continuous learning to help ensure that all staff members feel empowered to prioritize patient safety without fear of blame or retribution.
Standardize Protocols and Procedures
Consistency is key to minimizing medical errors. Individual doctors and facilities should develop clear, standardized protocols for high-risk processes like administering medication, surgical procedures, and patient handoffs. For instance, using checklists during surgeries can help ensure that the medical team follows every critical step. Standardized procedures also support faster and more effective training for new staff, making it easier for them to adapt to the workplace’s expectations while maintaining a high standard of care.
Implement Health Information Technology
Technology offers powerful tools to prevent errors. Implementing electronic health records (EHR) systems reduces reliance on handwritten notes, which may be incomplete or difficult to understand. Similarly, computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems further enhance safety by flagging potential drug interactions or dosage errors in real-time.
Strengthen Communication During Care Transitions
Patient handoffs and transitions are high-risk moments for errors. Structured communication tools, such as the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) framework, help providers and facilities convey critical information clearly when a patient leaves their care. Furthermore, standardizing handoff procedures across departments can eliminate misunderstandings and ensure continuity of care. Lastly, including the patient and their family in the handoff process also provides an additional layer of accuracy and accountability.
Conduct Root Cause Analyses for Errors
When errors occur, analyzing their root causes can help prevent similar incidents in the future. Root cause analysis (RCA) involves tracing the sequence of events that led to the error, identifying contributing factors, and implementing targeted solutions. For example, if an error stems from insufficient staff training, an organization could introduce specific educational programs to address the knowledge gap.
Engage Patients in Their Care
Patients who understand their care plans are more likely to catch potential mistakes. Therefore, it’s a smart move for doctors and facilities to provide clear instructions about medications, treatments, and follow-up care. Along similar lines, patient portals linked to EHRs can offer an easy way for people to review their medical information and alert providers to discrepancies.
Is Your New Jersey Medical Practice or Facility Facing a Malpractice Claim? We Can Help
Despite the best efforts of doctors and facilities, poor outcomes still happen in medicine, which can lead to costly, lengthy litigation. Patients looking for someone to blame may target a doctor or facility that followed proper protocols. If your New Jersey medical practice or healthcare facility is facing a malpractice claim, Nagel Rice, LLP, can guide you through the legal process and help you fight back against unfair or unfounded allegations. Call now or complete our contact form for a consultation.