An Online Prevention Of Medical Errors Course

By Imelda Reid


A report published by the Institute of Medicine in the United States in the 1990s revealed some disturbing statistics. It was found that the number of patients dying unnecessarily was higher than those lost to cancer or from motor vehicle accidents. This resulted in increased attention being paid to the safety of patients. It is possible to take a prevention of medical errors course through one of the many providers that now exist to deal with this issue.

Many of these providers offer their courses online and it is sometimes difficult to decide between all of those on offer. When making a decision it is important to find out whether the provider is approved by the appropriate medical authorities. The courses should contain certain content and an experienced, approved provider will know exactly what this content should be.

The individual taking such a course will be taught how to identify problem situations, determine factors that increase risks as well as learn strategies to decrease these risks. Other elements included in such courses are identification of vulnerable populations and root causes of error are analyzed. The reporting requirements may also be covered.

The courses should also offer an indication of events that should never, ever occur and that are usually not covered by medical aids if they occur. Some of these events are air embolisms, foreign objects left in patients after surgery and blood incompatibilities. An issue such as wrong surgery on a patient or surgery on the wrong patient should never, ever occur but it does still happen. Various conditions that are frequently misdiagnosed should also be covered such as cardiac, cancer and neurological related illnesses. Another issue is the time taken to respond to complications of surgery.

Most of the online courses take two hours to complete and the level of instruction is simple and concise. Such courses make continued education more convenient. It is a simple matter of the individual going online, registering and taking the course in their own time and from a location they choose.

This flexibility is one of the best aspects of being able to do such courses online, especially for medical practitioners who are often very busy people. There are courses that are specially designed for different practitioners. One designed for a nurse will be different than one designed for a doctor.

An official tracking system is used in the United States to keep abreast of the continuing education courses done by practitioners. Some states require a two hour course to be completed in order to obtain or renew a license. A recognized provider will submit the credits for courses to this tracking system, making it easy to receive or renew a license when necessary.

Whether it is part of the required legislation or not, taking such a course is beneficial for any practitioner. When it comes to patient safety, a practitioner can never know enough or do enough. Preventative measures taken can reduce risks greatly and ensure that less patients suffer unnecessary complications and even deaths as a result of errors.




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