Administrative ease and care to avoid unduly intrusive procedures for patients and program participants. A nonpunitive process geared toward facilitating feedback, education and learning. It's a way of life. Preventing error extends well beyond the examining room, operating room and laboratory. It includes prudent care in all our actions.
Medical care is increasingly complex, and our procedures and therapies are more intricate than ever.
That complexity, with its inherent potential for unintended error, is the price of better treatment and, ultimately, longer and healthier lives for our patients. At no level should we tolerate error. At every level, including the federal, we should learn from it. AHRQ as a nonregulatory organization is the proper place for this issue, especially if it remains true to the ideal of creating a culture of safety. My hope, and I'm certain yours as well, is for that trend to continue until there are virtually no deaths or serious injuries from medical errors.