Medical errors in psychiatry.
Medical errors in the general medical sector result in significant patient deaths and injuries, as well as high costs to the health care system. Despite the growing literature on errors in medical and surgical specialties, few studies have examined the incidence, nature, predictors, and prevention of errors that may occur in mental health treatment settings. The purpose of the current review is to examine the lessons learned from patient-safety research in the general medical sector, provide examples of types of errors in psychiatry, review the errors identified in the literature, offer a discussion of error-reduction strategies for improving patient safety, and provide recommendations for future research. Increased attention to medical errors in psychiatry is necessary in order to build safer health systems and promote a culture of safety among providers, thereby producing better care for patients with mental disorders.
Nath
Sara B
SB
Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, 3701 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, 19104-6214 PA, USA.
Marcus
Steven C
SC
D003363:Cost Control; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000191:economics; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States