Prevention of Medical Errors for Healthcare Professionals

Prevention of Medical Errors for Healthcare Professionals provides a comprehensive, systems-based review of the most common causes of medical errors across clinical environments and the strategies used to prevent them. Designed for interdisciplinary healthcare providers, this course emphasizes proactive risk reduction, enhanced communication, and evidence-based practices that improve safety, quality, and outcomes for patients.

The course begins by outlining the definition and types of medical errors, including diagnostic errors, medication errors, procedural complications, communication failures, and system breakdowns. Emphasis is placed on root cause analysis, human factors engineering, and safety culture development. Participants will explore national patient safety goals, sentinel event reporting, and the role of interprofessional collaboration in error prevention. Real-world case examples are used to reinforce clinical judgment, accountability, and adherence to best practices in both acute and ambulatory settings.

Topics covered include:

• Types and Causes of Medical Errors: Classification of errors, including diagnostic delays, incorrect treatments, surgical events, and errors related to transitions of care.
• High-Risk Areas and Populations: Identification of vulnerable settings such as intensive care, emergency departments, medication administration, and elderly or polypharmacy patients.
• Communication and Handoff Failures: Use of standardized tools such as SBAR and checklists to reduce errors during interdisciplinary communication and shift reports.
• Systems-Based Approaches to Prevention: Implementing electronic health records (EHRs), decision support systems, barcoding, and other technologies to minimize human error.
• National Patient Safety Goals and Regulatory Frameworks: Review of Joint Commission standards, CMS safety initiatives, and state-specific mandates.
• Root Cause Analysis and Reporting: Learning from sentinel events and near misses through structured incident reporting and non-punitive analysis.
• Ethical and Legal Considerations: Understanding professional accountability, transparency, and disclosure responsibilities following an adverse event.
• Case-Based Learning: Review of clinical scenarios illustrating preventable harm, corrective actions, and lessons learned.

Completion Requirements:

To receive full CE credit, participants must:

• Register for the course.
• Complete all course materials and content modules.
• Score 70% or higher on the post-test.
• Submit a completed course evaluation.

Optional resources such as communication tools, safety checklists, and regulatory guidelines will be available for download.

Important Disclosures:

• Conflict of Interest: No relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by the planners or faculty.
• Commercial Support: This course was developed without commercial sponsorship.
• Non-Endorsement: Accreditation does not imply endorsement of any specific products or companies.
• Off-Label Product Use: No off-label uses of medications or devices are discussed in this course.