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Emergency nursing and medical error--a survey of two states.

Hohenhaus SM

Office of Patient Safety and Quality, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA. shohenha@ptd.net

INTRODUCTION: This study describes issues concerning emergency nurses in 2 states and their experiences and perspectives regarding the recognition, reporting, and resolution of medical error. METHODS: To illustrate the issues involved in medical error reporting in this clinical specialty, a written survey of emergency nurses was conducted for the purpose of evaluating current practice of reporting medical error in the emergency department. RESULTS: There is little evidence that practical advice and guidance exist for nurses in general and for emergency nurses in particular regarding the issue of medical error recognition, reporting, and resolution. Clinicians are reluctant to report medical error in the structure and framework that is being used currently. DISCUSSION: There is a need for a practiced, standardized approach to medical error reporting that includes improved teamwork, conflict resolution, and appropriate reporting methodology education that should be paired with mandatory reporting laws.

Published 1 February 2008 in J Emerg Nurs, 34(1): 20-5.
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