[On the causes of medical errors in life-threatening conditions--a medico-legal assessment based on the material of the chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, collected between 2000 and the end of June, 2006].
The authors analyzed the medico-legal opinions on medical management issued by the Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine Katowice between 2000 and the end of June 2006. Among 101 cases, in which medical errors were recognized, in 82 instances inappropriate medical management was associated with direct life-threatening conditions, such as acute cardiac syndrome, cerebrocranial injuries, cerebral an aortic aneurysms, pulmonary embolisms, acute abdominal diseases, such as perforated gastric and duodenal ulcers, appendicitis, post-traumatic rupture of the spleen, and acute metabolic disorders. The majority of errors was diagnostic in character and involved the staff of emergency services, admission rooms and detoxification centers. The investigators also drew attention to factors affecting the degree of risk of medical error commission and the most common causes of inappropriate medical in life-threatening conditions.
Chowaniec
Czesław
C
Z Katedry i Zakładu Medycyny Sadowej Slaskiej Akademii Medycznej w Katowicach. martinchow@vp.pl
Chowaniec
Małgorzata
M
Kobek
Mariusz
M
Nowak
Agnieszka
A
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011044:Poland; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D028743:Professional Misconduct / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors