Recovered Medical Error Inventory.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the development and psychometric testing of the Recovered Medical Error Inventory (RMEI).


METHODS
Content analysis of structured interviews with expert critical care registered nurses (CCRNs) was used to empirically derive a 25-item RMEI. The RMEI was pilot tested with 345 CCRNs. The data set was randomly divided to use the first half for reliability testing and the second half for validation. A principal components analysis with Varimax rotation was conducted. Cronbach's alpha values were examined. A t test and Pearson correlation were used to compare scores of the two samples.


RESULTS
The RMEI consists of 25 items and two subscales. Evidence for initial reliability includes a total scale alpha of .9 and subscale alpha coefficients of .88 (mistake) and .75 (poor judgment).


CONCLUSIONS
The RMEI subscales have satisfactory internal consistency reliability and evidence for construct validity. Additional testing is warranted.


CONCLUSIONS
A tool to measure CCRNs' experiences with recovering medical errors allows quantification of nurse surveillance in promoting safe care and preventing unreimbursed hospital costs for treating nosocomial events.
Dykes
Patricia C
PC
Partners Health Care System, Information Systems, Boston, MA 02481, USA. pdykes@partners.org
Rothschild
Jeffrey M
JM
Hurley
Ann C
AC
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality / Q000451:nursing* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008873:Mid-Atlantic Region; D009511:New England; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011594:Psychometrics; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*