Types and Causes of Medical Errors in Respiratory Care

Purpose: Reducing medical errors (MEs) and promoting patient safety are essential policies globally. However, studies on MEs in respiratory care in Taiwan have been lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) in patient safety and the types and causes of MEs in respiratory care in Taiwan. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was carried out in a medical center and a regional hospital in northern Taiwan. Semi-structured, face-to-face, individual interviews were conducted to obtain confidential information regarding MEs, with key informants identified based on snowball sampling. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and framework analysis was conducted to explore the types and causes of MEs reported by RRTs. Results: Seven participants working in medical centers or regional hospitals were interviewed. Five of them reported that the most common type of ME is medication error, including missed doses and incorrect medication. No serious adverse event was reported in this study. Procedures have been established in hospitals for following up on MEs, including the Taiwan Patient Safety Reporting System and proposal form. Moreover, it was found that the interviewees comprehend these procedures to varying degrees. Conclusions: The results of this study provide a basis for understanding the causes and types of MEs in respiratory care. This is a preliminary study and generalizations of its findings are limited. Large-scale surveys are warranted to reveal the causes of MEs and improve quality of care.