Five Core Clinical Risk-related Concepts
After analyzing decades of medical malpractice claims data across multiple specialties, we pinpointed five core roots of patient safety issues.
Cognition
Error in the mental action or process of learning can lead to adverse events stemming from inaccurate or incomplete thinking, perceiving, experiencing, recognizing, remembering and judging. Courses marked with this designation indicate that information presented within that specific education activity will illuminate actionable ways to improve analysis and synthesis of information, diagnosis and clinical decision making.
Communication
Misunderstandings can lead to adverse events arising from errors in written, verbal and non-verbal information exchange. Courses marked with this designation indicate that concepts presented within that particular education activity will feature actionable ways to improve mutual understanding between healthcare providers and/or between medical professionals and their patients.
Performance
Reactive behavior resulting in inaccuracy, incompletion, expensive and untimely tasks can lead to adverse events arising from poor execution of an action and/or fulfillment of a request. Courses marked with this designation indicate that the specific education activity will present realistic ways to apply learning, implement changes in a medical practice, improve competencies, critically assess performance, and utilize and incorporate evidence-based best practices.
Professionalism
Breach of competency standards and ethical values can result in adverse events stemming from a misunderstanding of professional expectations. Courses marked with this designation indicate that the education activity will clarify professional expectations in an effort to improve advocacy and participation, provider wellness, ethical decisions, cultural competence, professional organization involvement, and adherence to patient care guidelines.
System
System errors in medicine primarily consist of interrelated and interdependent components that habitually influence one another, and can often result in adverse consequences. Courses marked with this designation indicate that the education activity will present ways to address legal and regulatory issues, coordination of care and teamwork, electronic health record IT issues, policies and procedures, cost and risk benefits, and quality improvement activities.