title: Reports of preventable medical errors from the Alberta Patient Safety Survey 2004.
abstract: The Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) is charged with reporting to Albertans on the quality, safety and performance of the healthcare system. In 2004, the HQCA conducted a telephone survey (response rate: 55%) of 1,500 adult Albertans to assess their perceptions of and personal experiences with preventable medical errors (PMEs). A total of 559 (37.3%) respondents reported that they or a family member had ever experienced a PME. The most common PMEs were related to clinical performance (n=128), medication (n=123), diagnosis (n=121) and communication (n=73). Through this research, patients have provided an orientation to interventions to improve patient care and prevent medical errors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary.
authors.forename: Laura C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Vanderheyden
authors.forename: Herbert C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Northcott
authors.forename: Carol E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Adair
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McBrien-Morrison
authors.forename: Lynn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Meadows
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cowell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D003625:Data Collection; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017751:Safety Management