System Safety in Healthcare

Abstract

Unsafe work practices can happen in many ways. The following lengthy list includes examples of potential causes:
 
 Excessive work for clinicians
 Too many unnecessary reports and requirements
 Over-dependence on technology
 Conflict between the need for professional autonomy and establishing the dynamically changing best processes
 Care delivery “silos” resulting from lack of interdepartmental teamwork
 Constant distractions and interruptions
 Too many policies and procedures, leading to a tendency to follow marginally effective methods
 Over-reliance on electronic medical tracking taking precedence over bedside discussions with patients
 Inattention to detail
 Lack of motivation to get, or resources for, a second opinion
 Quick diagnosis based on past observations
 Inadequate attention to medical equipment dangers
 Insufficient effort in infection prevention
 People pretending the negative would not happen to them
 Hospitals looking for quick profit
 Questionable alternate boards certifying physicians who may not be qualified
 A lack of passion for work
 Unfavorable workflows, such as labs located far from the emergency department
 A lack of clarity of what is required to assure patient safety
 Too much team consensus instead of challenging the quality of intervention