Avoiding Errors in Adult Medicine

Avoiding Errors in Adult Medicine Some of the most important and best lessons in a doctor s career are learnt from mistakes. However, an awareness of the common causes of medical errors and developing positive behaviours can reduce the risk of mistakes and litigation Written for junior medical staff and consultants, and unlike any other clinical management title available, Avoiding Errors in Adult Medicine identifies and explains the most common errors likely to occur in an adult medicine setting - so that you won t make them. The first section in this brand new guide discusses the causes of errors in adult medicine. The second and largest section consists of case scenarios and includes expert and legal comment as well as clinical teaching points and strategies to help you engage in safer practice throughout your career. The final section discusses how to deal with complaints and the subsequent potential medico-legal consequences, helping to reduce your anxiety when dealing with the consequences of an error. Invaluable during the Foundation Years, Specialty Training and for Consultants, Avoiding Errors in Adult Medicine is the perfect guide to help tackle the professional and emotional challenges of life as a physician. For more information on the Avoiding Errors series, please visit: wiley.com/go/avoidingerrors For more information on the complete range of Wiley-Blackwell medical student and junior doctor publishing, please visit: wileymedicaleducation.com To receive automatic updates on Wiley-Blackwell books and journals, join our email list. Sign up today at wiley.com/email All content reviewed by students for students Wiley-Blackwell Medical Education books are designed exactly for theirintended audience. All of our books are developed in collaboration with students.This means that our books are always published with you, the student, in mind. If you would like to be one of our student reviewers, go to reviewmedicalbooks.com to find out more. More titles in the Avoiding Errors series Avoiding Errors in Paediatrics Raine et al. 2013 9780470658680 Avoiding Errors in General Practice Barraclough et al. 2013 9780470673577 This title is also available as an e-book. For more details, please see wiley.com/buy/9780470674383 or scan this QR code:

Avoiding Errors in Adult MedicineSome of the most important and best lessons in a doctor's career are learnt from mistakes. However, an awareness of the common causes of medical errors and developing positive behaviours can reduce the risk of mistakes and litigationWritten for junior medical staff and consultants, and unlike any other clinical management title available, Avoiding Errors in Adult Medicine identifies and explains the most common errors likely to occur in an adult medicine setting - so that you won't make them.The first section in this brand new guide discusses the causes of errors in adult medicine. The second and largest section consists of case scenarios and includes expert and legal comment as well as clinical teaching points and strategies to help you engage in safer practice throughout your career. The final section discusses how to deal with complaints and the subsequent potential medico-legal consequences, helping to reduce your anxiety when dealing with the consequences of an error.Invaluable during the Foundation Years, Specialty Training and for Consultants, Avoiding Errors in Adult Medicine is the perfect guide to help tackle the professional and emotional challenges of life as a physician.For more information on the Avoiding Errors series, please visit: wiley.com/go/avoidingerrorsFor more information on the complete range of Wiley-Blackwell medical student and junior doctor publishing, please visit: wileymedicaleducation.comTo receive automatic updates on Wiley-Blackwell books and journals, join our email list. Sign up today at wiley.com/emailAll content reviewed by students for studentsWiley-Blackwell Medical Education books are designed exactly for theirintended audience. All of our books are developed in collaboration with students.This means that our books are always published with you, the student, in mind.If you would like to be one of our student reviewers, go to reviewmedicalbooks.com to find out more.More titles in the Avoiding Errors seriesAvoiding Errors in PaediatricsRaine et al.20139780470658680Avoiding Errors in General PracticeBarraclough et al.20139780470673577This title is also available as an e-book. For more details, please see wiley.com/buy/9780470674383 or scan this QR code:

Contributors viiiPreface ixAbbreviations xIntroduction XIPart 1Section 1: Errors and their causes 1A few words about error 1Learning from system failures - the vincristine example 1Evidence from the NHSLA database 8The patient consultation 10Failure to identify a sick patient 12Inability to competently perform practical procedures 13Failure to check test results or act on abnormal findings 14Prescribing errors 14Sources of error in the case of vulnerable adults 16References and further reading 18Section 2: Medico-legal aspects 19Error in a legal context 19Negligence 19Clinical negligence 20Issues around consent 23An attorney refusing treatment 27A patient without capacity refusing treatment 27Emergency treatment 28Deprivation of liberty safeguards 29Part 2 Clinical cases vIntroduction 35Section 1: Civil liability negligence and compensation 36Case 1 A shaky excuse 37Case 2 Making matters worse 40Case 3 Chase the bloods 43Case 4 Falling asleep en-route 45Case 5 Bad luck or bad judgement 48Case 6 An opportunity missed 51Case 7 Better late than never 53Case 8 Man down 56Case 9 Cry wolf 58Case 10 Not a leg to stand on 60Section 2: Unexpected death: the coronial system and clinical risk management 62Case 11 A doubly bad outcome 63Case 12 Difficulty with diarrhoea 66Case 13 A flu-like illness 69Case 14 Falling standards 72Section 3: An approach to complaints 74Case 15 A woman with chest pain 75Case 16 Clumsiness 78Section 4: Competence 80Case 17 A change in plan 81Case 18 Starving to death 85Case 19 An irregular presentation 88Case 20 Irrational but not incompetent 90Section 5: Restraint 92Case 21 A challenging discharge 93Case 22 Ruling out the organic 96Case 23 Endless wandering 99Case 24 Can you please take these handcuffs off? 101Case 25 Own worst enemy 103Section 6: Miscellaneous 105Case 26 All eggs in one basket 106Case 27 A major mix-up 108Case 28 Under the radar 110Case 29 A cantankerous recluse 113Case 30 Keep an open mind 115Case 31 Healthcare acquired infection? 117Case 32 Backing the wrong horse 120Case 33 A surprising turn of events 122Case 34 Funny turn 125Part 3 Investigating and dealing with errors1 Introduction 1272 How hospitals try to prevent adverse errors and their recurrence 1273 The role of hospital staff 1324 The role of external agencies 1345 Hospital investigations 1376 Legal advice - where to get it and who pays 1417 External investigation of errors and incidents 1438 The role of the doctor 1609 Presenting oral evidence 16210 Emotional repercussions 16411 Conclusion 164References 164Index 167