Introduction

Based on the IOM's estimate of 44,000 deaths annually, medical errors rank as the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. Clearly, medical errors are an epidemic that needs to be contained. Despite these numbers, patient safety and medical errors remain an issue for physicians and other clinicians.

Book Content

This book bridges the issues related to patient safety by providing clinically relevant, vignette-based descriptions of the areas where most problems occur. Each vignette highlights a particular issue such as communication, human factors, E.H.R., etc., and provides tools and strategies for improving quality in these areas and creating a safer environment for patients.