The Top Healthcare Killers and How to Prevent Them
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 3 million people die every year due to medical errors. These errors can occur at any stage of healthcare, from diagnosis to treatment to follow-up care. The following are the top healthcare killers, along with ways to prevent them.
1. Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
HAIs are infections that occur as a patient receives treatment for a medical or surgical condition. Examples of HAIs include catheter-associated urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, and central line-associated bloodstream infections. HAIs can be prevented by ensuring that staff follow proper hand hygiene protocols, using sterile equipment, and reducing unnecessary use of antibiotics.
2. Medication Errors
Medication errors can occur at any point in the medication process, from prescribing to administration to monitoring. Examples of medication errors include prescribing the wrong medication, administering the wrong dose, or failing to monitor for adverse effects. Medication errors can be prevented by using computerized physician order entry (CPOE), having a pharmacist involved in medication reconciliation, using bar-code medication administration (BCMA), and providing adequate education to patients.
3. Diagnostic Errors
Diagnostic errors refer to the failure to accurately diagnose a patient’s condition. This can lead to unnecessary testing, delays in treatment, and even harm to the patient. Diagnostic errors can be prevented by ensuring that healthcare providers have adequate knowledge and training, using decision support tools, and promoting a culture of open communication between healthcare providers and patients.
4. Falls
Falls are a common cause of injury among hospitalized patients, particularly older adults. Falls can result in fractures, head injuries, and even death. Falls can be prevented by assessing patients’ fall risk upon admission, using bed and chair alarms, providing adequate lighting in patient rooms, and using non-slip flooring.
5. Pressure Ulcers
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue that result from prolonged pressure on the skin. Pressure ulcers can be prevented by using specialized mattresses and cushions, repositioning patients at regular intervals, and providing adequate nutrition and hydration.
In conclusion, healthcare providers can prevent the top healthcare killers by following evidence-based guidelines and best practices. By promoting a culture of safety and continuous quality improvement, healthcare providers can help reduce the number of medical errors and improve patient outcomes.
