Risk factors for patient-reported medical errors in eleven countries

Schwappach, David L B (2014). Risk factors for patient-reported medical errors in eleven countries. Health expectations, 17(3), pp. 321-331. Blackwell Publishing 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2011.00755.x

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OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to identify common risk factors for patient-reported medical errors across countries. In country-level analyses, differences in risks associated with error between health care systems were investigated. The joint effects of risks on error-reporting probability were modelled for hypothetical patients with different health care utilization patterns.

DESIGN

Data from the Commonwealth Fund's 2010 lnternational Survey of the General Public's Views of their Health Care System's Performance in 11 Countries.

SETTING

Representative population samples of 11 countries were surveyed (total sample = 19,738 adults). Utilization of health care, coordination of care problems and reported errors were assessed. Regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for patients' reports of medical, medication and laboratory errors across countries and in country-specific models.

RESULTS

Error was reported by 11.2% of patients but with marked differences between countries (range: 5.4-17.0%). Poor coordination of care was reported by 27.3%. The risk of patient-reported error was determined mainly by health care utilization: Emergency care (OR = 1.7, P < 0.001), hospitalization (OR = 1.6, P < 0.001) and the number of providers involved (OR three doctors = 2.0, P < 0.001) are important predictors. Poor care coordination is the single most important risk factor for reporting error (OR = 3.9, P < 0.001). Country-specific models yielded common and country-specific predictors for self-reported error. For high utilizers of care, the probability that errors are reported rises up to P = 0.68.

CONCLUSIONS

Safety remains a global challenge affecting many patients throughout the world. Large variability exists in the frequency of patient-reported error across countries. To learn from others' errors is not only essential within countries but may also prove a promising strategy internationally.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Pre-clinic Human Medicine > Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)

UniBE Contributor:

Schwappach, David

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology > 360 Social problems & social services

ISSN:

1369-6513

Publisher:

Blackwell Publishing

Language:

English

Submitter:

Doris Kopp Heim

Date Deposited:

02 Apr 2015 10:36

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:44

Publisher DOI:

10.1111/j.1369-7625.2011.00755.x

PubMed ID:

22296575

Uncontrolled Keywords:

medical errors, patient-reported outcomes, safety, survey

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.65793

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/65793

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