Sooner or later, you will make a medical error. What should you do? It’s very simple: you need to report the error immediately. This is not easy to do. The first instinct for many people is to feel shame and embarrassment. By definition, an error is a failure on your part to be attentive, to plan, or to have the knowledge you need to do your job. And the “culture” of the health care system has traditionally been a bit harsh on people who make mistakes. Embarrassment and shame are normal in these situations.

But it is absolutely vital that as soon as you discover a medical error, you report it. Delaying the process is the worst possible response. Not only will this make it appear as if you are not being honest, but there is potential for harm to the client. If that happens, any potential judgment and consequences that result from the error will probably be worse than if the error had been reported immediately. When you do document the error, be objective. Simply document what happened. Don’t add details about how you were feeling or add facts that you feel provide an excuse for why the error happened. If you have nay doubt about how to document after you have made a medical error, get advice from your supervisor.

Once your supervisor has been notified of the error and the documentation has been completed, should you tell the patient what has happened? Most experts agree that patients have a right to know if a medical error was committed, and it is recommended that patients be told of medical errors. But you should not do this alone. Your supervisor and a physician should make the decision as to when and how the patient is informed. You may be required to be there, and you may be required to explain. But however the situation is handled, if you are present when the patient is told of a medical error be sure to offer an apology. Research has clearly shown that if a medical error occurs, what most patients want and what they feel is most important is an apology.

SUMMARY

This illustration is simple and you can refer to it whenever you have questions about a medical error.

Did the Patient Suffer Harm or an Adverse Effect?

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Was the Harm/Adverse Effect due to Poor Planning, Lack of Knowledge, or Inattention?

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Could the CNA have Prevented the Adverse Effect/Harm?

If the answers to these questions are yes, then a medical error has occurred.