Prevention of Medical Errors for Healthcare Professionals

This 2-hour CE course provides a comprehensive review of the causes, types, and prevention strategies associated with medical errors in clinical practice. Designed for healthcare professionals across diverse settings, the course emphasizes a systems-based approach to patient safety and aligns with current national standards, regulatory guidance, and institutional quality improvement goals.

The course begins with a detailed examination of the most common categories of medical errors, including medication errors, surgical errors, diagnostic delays, documentation inaccuracies, and communication breakdowns. It explores how factors such as fatigue, staffing levels, system complexity, and interruptions contribute to clinical mistakes and adverse events.

Participants will review the principles of high-reliability organizations and the role of root cause analysis (RCA), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), and incident reporting systems in reducing risk. Human factors engineering and cognitive error theories are introduced to promote better understanding of how environment and decision-making affect clinical performance.

The course also outlines practical tools for error prevention, such as checklists, handoff protocols (e.g., SBAR), barcode medication administration, and clinical decision support systems. Special attention is given to interdisciplinary communication, patient engagement, and fostering a culture of safety through leadership support and continuous professional development.

Real-world case studies are integrated throughout the course to highlight lessons learned and reinforce the application of key concepts in daily practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Identify common sources and types of medical errors in healthcare practice.
• Explain the role of systemic and human factors in contributing to medical errors.
• Apply evidence-based tools and strategies to reduce the risk of preventable harm.
• Understand the importance of communication and documentation in preventing errors.
• Participate in institutional safety initiatives, including reporting and root cause analysis.
• Support the development of a patient-centered, safety-focused clinical environment.

Course Completion Requirements:

To complete this CE course and receive full credit, participants must:

• Register for the course.
• Review all course materials.
• Complete the post-test with a passing score of 70% or higher.
• Submit the course evaluation survey.

Note: Some courses may include additional assignments, case reviews, or interactive scenarios.

Important Disclosures:

• Conflict of Interest: The course planners, authors, and presenters have no financial or commercial conflicts of interest related to this educational activity
• Commercial Support: This course has not received sponsorship or financial support from commercial entities.
• Non-Endorsement: Approval of this course as a continuing education activity does not imply endorsement of any products, services, or companies mentioned within the content.
• Off-Label Product Use: No content related to off-label use of FDA-approved products is included in this course.