Medical errors affecting the pediatric intensive care patient: incidence, identification, and practical solutions.
The complexity of patient care and the potential for medical error make the pediatric ICU environment a key target for improvement of outcomes in hospitalized children. This article describes several event-specific errors as well as proven and potential solutions. Analysis of pediatric intensive care staffing, education, and administration systems, although a less "traditional" manner of thinking about medical error, may reveal further opportunities for improved pediatric ICU outcome.
Nichter
Mark A
MA
University of South Florida School of Medicine, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA. marknicht@aol.com
D002648:Child; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis