Medical errors are the unfortunate byproduct of an increasingly complex healthcare system. Now more than ever, keeping patients safe takes well-trained caregivers, relevant insights from a range of industries, additional investment―and a groundbreaking text like Understanding Patient Safety.

Understanding Patient Safety is “must read” for those seeking to master the clinical, organizational, and systems issues of patient safety. In this bestselling primer, patient safety pioneer Robert Wachter and Kiran Gupta put all the essential tools and principles at your fingertips. Engaging and accessible, the book is filled with high-yield cases, analyses, tables, graphics, along with key points and references―all designed to help you optimize quality and safety.

Understanding Patient Safety begins with an introduction to patient safety and medical errors. Its second section surveys specific types of medical errors, including those related to surgery, medications, diagnosis, transition and handoff, and infections. The third section covers proven solutions, from establishing reporting systems, to creating a culture of safety.

The third edition reflects pivotal new developments in the field, including major updates in diagnostic errors, information technology and patient safety, ambulatory safety, and clinician burnout.

Features: 

•Coverage of human factors and errors at the person-machine interface

•Review of workplace issues, including supporting caregivers after major errors

•How to organize an effective safety program

•Coordination of patient education and training

•Overview of the malpractice system

•Discussion of the patient’s role

About the Author

Contents

Chapter 1: The Nature and Frequency Of Medical Errors and Adverse Events
Chapter 2: Basic Principles of Patient Safety
Chapter 3: Safety, Quality, and Value
Chapter 4: Medication Errors
Chapter 5: Surgical Errors
Chapter 6: Diagnostic Errors
Chapter 7: Human Factors and Errors at the Person–Machine Interface
Chapter 8: Transition and Handoff Errors
Chapter 9: Teamwork and Communication Errors
Chapter 10: Healthcare-Associated Infections
Chapter 11: Other Complications of Healthcare
Chapter 12: Patient Safety in the Ambulatory Setting
Chapter 13: Information Technology
Chapter 14: Reporting Systems, Root Cause Analysis, and Other Methods of Understanding Safety Issues
Chapter 15: Creating a culture of safety
Chapter 16: Workforce Issues
Chapter 17: Education and Training Issues
Chapter 18: The Malpractice System
Chapter 19: Accountability
Chapter 20: Accreditation and Regulations
Chapter 21: The Role of Patients
Chapter 22: Organizing a Safety Program