Preventing Medical Errors

Course overview

This course has three parts. Part One, Factors that Contribute to Medical Errors, addresses how human, system, patient, environmental and technological factors contribute to mistakes in healthcare. Part Two, Classification and Analysis, and Prevention of Medial Errors, reviews the classifications, kinds, types and descriptors used in addressing medical errors and how to reduce them. It provides action steps that can be taken in healthcare setting including mental health venues and the special role of psychologists in taking these steps. Part Three is a Case Study of a specific medical error to provide a framework for addressing the causes that led to the mistake and the action steps that can be taken to prevent a re-occurrence.