Policy Analysis: Eliminating Preventable Medical Errors

Policy Analysis Concept Paper: Eliminating Preventable Medical Errors
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Policy Analysis Concept Paper: Eliminating Preventable Medical Errors
Problem Definition Preventable medical errors have remained a persistent public health problem in the United States for decades. According to Thomas et al. (2022), this health problem exerts significant pressure on the healthcare system due to the associated ramifications. Diverse studies conducted since 1999 have revealed the severity of this issue, making a substantial cause of inpatient mortality linked to approximately 100,000 – 200,000 annual cases (Tawfik et al., 2018). The authors also indicate that the prevalence of nonfatal medical errors is almost 10 – 20 times more than the fatal ones and has remained significantly high even with the nation’s ongoing restructuring of healthcare delivery. Tawfik et al. (2018) highlight that although this issue affects all population groups, the inpatient remains the leading victim. In this context, Thomas et al. (2022) report that this faction suffers from the two primary error types, including omission and commission medical mistakes. Thus, this issue has remained a menace that requires appropriate reaction through policy.                Evidence indicates that medical errors correlate to the diminishing quality of healthcare delivery despite advancements in technology and increasing research. For instance, Lind et al. (2020) suggest that poor communication leads to the diverse causes of medical errors in U.S. facilities. The author reveals that disconnected relay of critical details about surgeries and medication can arise from poor coordination protocols and training, making it difficult for professionals to execute their duties effectively. Additional findings by Abdulrahman et al. (2021) present comparable results and hint that systemic related challenges, including overburdening of healthcare workers, trigger burnout that increases the probability of preventable medical errors. In the same context, Lind et al. (2019) reveal that experts blame the medical procedure volumes in U.S. facilities for a significant proportion of these errors. The consequence is that their continued occurrence triggers multifaceted impacts on the patients, including slowing recovery, complicating the original health problem, and pilling care-related costs for managing the emerging issues. Thus, these aspects demand appropriate policy intervention to temper the resultant effects.  Related Policy Environment             The governments and relevant authorities have been exploiting policies and regulations to address the medical errors menace across the U.S. One recently enacted policy is the Safety Considerations for Product Design (Food and Drug Administration, 2016). This policy has been revolutionary because it acknowledges the unexplored influence of wrong medication, under or over the prescription, on the severity of medical errors in the nation. As a result, it introduces various measures in the la...