Preventable Problem Types Reported by Participants
| Main Problem | Number Reporting Problem* | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| * Participants could report more than 1 error. | ||
| Communication | ||
| Physician to patient | 15 | Rude; lack of empathy; insufficient time spent with patient; refusal to refer to specialist |
| With insurance company | 4 | Wrong diagnosis sent to insurer; rude and unhelpful |
| Between physicians | 1 | Miscommunication between physician and anesthesiologist |
| Office administration | ||
| Telephone problems | 5 | Messages not relayed; unable to speak to nurse or doctor on telephone |
| Access and appointments | 10 | Long waits in waiting room; appointments cancelled without notice; incorrect appointment times given |
| Office staff | 6 | Rude; unhelpful; refusal to relay messages |
| Office systems | 4 | Lost laboratory sample; medical records lost; inflexible in policies |
| Clinical care | ||
| Missed diagnosis | 4 | Deep vein thrombosis; otitis media; scoliosis; reflux disease. |
| Medication problems | 7 | Dose cut in half; wrong drug prescribed or dispensed |
| Procedural and equipment problems | 4 | Broken equipment; intravenous line left in too long |
| Lack of knowledge or skills | 3 | Blood pressure not taken; no therapy ordered |
| Total | 63 | |