Medical Errors
| Definition: |
Errors or mistakes committed by health professionals which result in harm to the patient. They include errors in diagnosis (DIAGNOSTIC ERRORS), errors in the administration of drugs and other medications (MEDICATION ERRORS), errors in the performance of surgical procedures, in the use of other types of therapy, in the use of equipment, and in the interpretation of laboratory findings. Medical errors are differentiated from MALPRACTICE in that the former are regarded as honest mistakes or accidents while the latter is the result of negligence, reprehensible ignorance, or criminal intent. |
| Notes: |
IM; coord with specific dis or procedure (IM); do not confuse with MALPRACTICE: read MeSH definition; DIAGNOSTIC ERRORS & MEDICATION ERRORS are also available; DF: MED ERR |
| Also Called: |
Surgical Errors |
Medical Errors Definitions and Terms
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