No one knows how common medical errors are, but there is a lot of evidence that clearly indicates medical errors occur regularly. What is known is that there are certain types of medical errors that happen over and over.

Table I: Common Medical Errors

• Falls: Falls are a medical error that CNAs are very likely to be involved with. Patient falls have been extensively studied, and almost all falls can be prevented.

• Medication errors: Medication errors are probably the most common medical errors. An incorrect dose is given, the doses are given too closely together, the patient receives the wrong medication, the drug is given by an incorrect route, drug allergies or drug interactions are not checked – there are many ways that a medication error can occur.

• Infections: Infections that are considered to be medical errors happen when healthcare personnel do not follow infection control procedures. For a CNA or a HHA this may occur when performing urinary catheter care or a simple dressing change. If proper infection control techniques were not followed and an infection results, the infection would be considered a medical error.

• Laboratory errors: Laboratory errors can include such things as a test result that is reported incorrectly or a test result that is not reported in a timely manner.

• Treatment errors: Treatment errors occur when procedures and treatments are performed incorrectly. In the second scenario, if the CNA had not made sure the patient’s head was elevated and had failed to check for a residual, these mistakes could have lead to a medical error.

• Pharmacy errors: The wrong drug or an incorrect dose is dispensed.

• Incorrect diagnosis