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Reportable events often go unreported

Quick View. April 14, 2008.

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Unsure if error caused adverse events 62.8%
Doesn't know what errors should be reported 60.5%
Afraid of professional discipline 57.7%
Has lack of institutional feedback on reporting 47.9%
Doesn't know how to report errors 45.2%
Thinks disclosing errors does not change care system 7.4%

Doctors often are unsure about whether to give an account of an adverse outcome to a hospital or other authority.

According to a survey, doctors who knew how to report errors in their institutions were more likely to do so. Here are some factors that impede physician error reporting.


Source: "Reporting Medical Errors to Improve Patient Safety," Archives of Internal Medicine, Jan. 14

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Copyright 2008 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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