Clinical errors refer to mistakes made during the diagnosis, treatment, or management of a patient’s health condition. These errors can occur due to various factors, including miscommunication among healthcare providers, incorrect medication prescriptions, or failure to follow established protocols. Such mistakes can lead to adverse patient outcomes, increased healthcare costs, and a loss of trust in the healthcare system.
Common types of clinical errors include medication errors, surgical errors, and diagnostic errors. Medication errors may involve giving the wrong dosage or type of medication, while surgical errors can include performing the wrong procedure. Diagnostic errors occur when a healthcare provider fails to identify a condition accurately, potentially delaying necessary treatment.