title: Mistakes happen. Improved processes mean fewer mistakes.
abstract: A patient receives the wrong medication. Another waits in an exam room, forgotten. Yet another undergoes expensive imaging, only to find the pictures taken were of the wrong area. When mistakes happen in health care, repercussions range from inefficiency and a decline in profitability to human suffering and even death. In such an environment, errors can't be fixed by a quality inspector at the end of the line. By that time, the damage is done. But by improving quality all along the patient visit process, mistakes can be avoided.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bubin
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States; D014850:Waiting Lists