Proper Charting Can Lead to a Reduced Number of Medical Errors

No one wants to think about mistakes when going into a hospital, but they do happen and can sometimes have fatal consequences. As many as 250,000 people in the U.S. alone die each year because of a medical error.  So, what can be done to reduce that number? 

Many hospitals and facilities have made significant strides in eliminating potential medical errors.  For example, some hospitals have created policies designed to reduce the amount of double and even triple shifts that some doctors and nurses work to prevent sleep deprivation. Because, let's face it, it's a lot easier to make a mistake when you lack the proper amount of hours of sleep because of work.

Workplaces, especially hospitals, also need to create an atmosphere where the staff feels like they can access resources and support to improve their mental health. When someone feels safe enough in their job to ask for help while working, they are less likely to make mistakes.  It also helps foster a sense of empowerment while on the job.

These two things alone can reduce the amount of medical errors that could happen

Recently, the medical community has taken a look at the number of medical errors that occur and why they happen. They observed that many of these errors could be from the information that is and isn't in the patient's charts. This could range from important details about the patient to their overall medical needs. If these details are documented wrong, then a medical error can definitely happen.

Reducing charting errors can definitely improve patient-care overall

The days of handwritten medical files are a thing of the past.  Many doctors and nurses now input information into the patients’ charts through a variety of digital platforms. It can make for a very fast and efficient system and allow nurses to access information at a swipe of a finger across a screen.  While all these digital are great, they do not prevent errors from happening, especially when the information is being inputted into the charts at a fast-pace. Humans make mistakes, even when working with computers.

Here are a few ways to help you avoid medical errors on the job.