A surgical error is something that happens during surgery that should not have happened. It could include a range of things, such as operating on the wrong body part or leaving a tool behind in your body after surgery.
Surgical errors almost always occur due to human error, according to Baylor College of Medicine.
What happens to lead to errors?
Humans make mistakes, but when it comes to healthcare, it is essential to avoid such errors. Professionals in the field may still mess up due to a variety of factors. They may make mistakes due to being overworked, not reading paperwork properly, or misunderstanding verbal instructions. Communication errors seem to be the top reason for surgical errors.
How can we stop errors?
It is impossible for any person to be perfect and never make a mistake, but the goal in medicine should be to limit errors to those quickly caught and fixed. The focus to help prevent surgical errors should be in improving systems and communication to reduce the chances of misunderstandings and mistakes.
What are the effects of errors?
Preventing surgical errors is important to stop effects that include bleeding, repeat surgeries, adverse health effects and loss of life. A mistake in the operating room can lead to almost any type of effect, from mild to severe. It all depends on the situation.
When it comes to surgical errors, preventing them and minimizing the effects is the main goal. It is impossible to stop all mistakes, but ensuring they do not have lasting and serious effects is the next best thing.