Error Reduction in Surgical Pathology

Abstract Context.—Because of its complex nature, surgical pathology practice is inherently error prone. Currently, there is pressure to reduce errors in medicine, including pathology. Objective.—To review factors that contribute to errors and to discuss error-reduction strategies. Design.—Literature review. Results.—Multiple factors contribute to errors in medicine, including variable input, complexity, inconsistency, tight coupling, human intervention, time constraints, and a hierarchical culture. Strategies that may reduce errors include reducing reliance on memory, improving information access, error-proofing processes, decreasing reliance on vigilance, standardizing tasks and language, reducing the number of handoffs, simplifying processes, adjusting work schedules and environment, providing adequate training, and placing the correct people in the correct jobs. Conclusions.—Surgical pathology is a complex system with ample opportunity for error. Significant error reduction is unlikely to occur without a sustained comprehensive program of quality control and quality assurance. Incremental adoption of information technology and automation along with improved training in patient safety and quality management can help reduce errors.

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Patient Safety and Error Reduction in Surgical Pathology

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/2008-132-181-psaeri ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 132 (2) ◽

pp. 181-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Raouf E. Nakhleh

Keyword(s):

Patient Safety ◽

Quality Improvement ◽

Error Reduction ◽

Surgical Pathology ◽

Test Cycle ◽

Pathology Laboratory ◽

Improvement Plan ◽

Multiple Factors ◽

Continuous Quality ◽

National Patient

Abstract Context.—National patient safety goals and error reduction efforts should be addressed by each surgical pathology laboratory. Objective.—To review issues relevant to patient safety and error reduction in surgical pathology in the context of continuous quality improvement. Data Sources.—The literature is reviewed. Conclusions.—Patient safety goals can and should be addressed within the context of a quality improvement plan. Multiple factors that contribute to errors in surgical pathology are discussed. The current literature defines the extent of these problems within specific segments of the test cycle (preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic). Potential solutions are presented that may reduce or avoid errors. In addition, general principles are outlined that enhance the laboratory's ability to successfully and continuously address patient safety and error reduction.

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Leveraging error reduction strategies

Pharmacy Today ◽

10.1016/s1042-0991(15)31240-8 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (8) ◽

pp. 76

Keyword(s):

Error Reduction ◽

Reduction Strategies

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The Basis of Navigation Across Species

Annual Review of Psychology ◽

10.1146/annurev-psych-020821-111311 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Cody A. Freas ◽

Ken Cheng

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Error Reduction ◽

Annual Review ◽

Publication Date ◽

Additional Component ◽

Oscillatory Systems ◽

Neural Architecture ◽

Wide Range ◽

Reduction Strategies ◽

Cycling Behavior

Animals navigate a wide range of distances, from a few millimeters to globe-spanning journeys of thousands of kilometers. Despite this array of navigational challenges, similar principles underlie these behaviors across species. Here, we focus on the navigational strategies and supporting mechanisms in four well-known systems: the large-scale migratory behaviors of sea turtles and lepidopterans as well as navigation on a smaller scale by rats and solitarily foraging ants. In lepidopterans, rats, and ants we also discuss the current understanding of the neural architecture which supports navigation. The orientation and navigational behaviors of these animals are defined in terms of behavioral error-reduction strategies reliant on multiple goal-directed servomechanisms. We conclude by proposing to incorporate an additional component into this system: the observation that servomechanisms operate on oscillatory systems of cycling behavior. These oscillators and servomechanisms comprise the basis for directed orientation and navigational behaviors. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Psychology, Volume 73 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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An empirical evaluation of estimation error reduction strategies applied to international diversification

Journal of Multinational Financial Management ◽

10.1016/j.mulfin.2017.12.001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shaun McDowell

Keyword(s):

Estimation Error ◽

Empirical Evaluation ◽

International Diversification ◽

Error Reduction ◽

Reduction Strategies

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The Institute of Medicine's Report on Medical Error

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/2000-124-1674-tiomsr ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 124 (11) ◽

pp. 1674-1678 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ronald L. Sirota

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Patient Safety ◽

Medical Error ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

The United States ◽

Error Reduction ◽

High Rate ◽

Institute Of Medicine ◽

The Past ◽

Reduction Strategies

Abstract Context.—During the past several years, more attention has been focused on the topics of medical error and patient safety than in the past. At the end of 1999, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published a seminal report concerning medical error in the United States; this report will have sweeping implications for all disciplines of medicine, including pathology. Objective.—To review the major findings of the IOM report on medical error and to discuss their implications for the field of pathology. Methods.—Review of the IOM report on medical error and discussion of other relevant literature on medical error. Results.—The IOM report on medical error highlights an unacceptable rate of medical error in the United States and mandates a 50% reduction in medical error during the next 5 years. It recommends regulatory solutions to this problem, as well as organizational approaches to error reduction. It proposes both mandatory and voluntary systems for reporting of medical error. The report suggests that systems should be examined for latent flaws and that individual culpability for error should not be overemphasized. The report recommends that error-reduction strategies that have been applied to other industries should be studied and that known concepts of error reduction should be applied to medicine. Strategies that the IOM suggests can be applied to pathology. Conclusions.—Medical error occurs at an unacceptably high rate. Recommendations made in the IOM report on medical error and patient safety should be applied to the practice of pathology.

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