Avoiding Errors in Paediatrics

Some of the most important and best lessons in a doctor's career are learnt from mistakes. However, an awareness of the common causes of medical errors and developing positive behaviours can reduce the risk of mistakes and litigation. Written for junior paediatric staff and consultants, and unlike any other paediatric clinical management title available, Avoiding Errors in Paediatrics identifies and explains the most common errors likely to occur in a paediatric setting - so that you won't make them.   The first section in this brand new guide discusses the causes of errors in paediatrics. The second and largest section consists of case scenarios and includes expert and legal comment as well as clinical teaching points and strategies to help you engage in safer practice throughout your career. The final section discusses how to deal with complaints and the subsequent potential medico-legal consequences, helping to reduce your anxiety when dealing with the consequences of an error. Invaluable during the Foundation Years, Specialty Training and for Consultants, Avoiding Errors in Paediatrics is the perfect guide to help tackle the professional and emotional challenges of life as a paediatrician.

Avoiding Errors in Paediatrics -- Contents -- Contributors -- Foreword -- Abbreviations -- Introduction -- PART 1 -- Section 1: Errors and their causes -- A few words about error -- Learning from system failures -- the vincristine case -- Failure to follow protocols (Case 25) -- Inadequate communication (Cases 1, 13-15, 18, 19, 27, 29, 30, 33, 34, 36) -- Poor and inadequate record-keeping (Case 3) -- Lack of knowledge and not knowing one's limitations (Cases 1, 15, 20) -- Poor supervision and delegation (Case 22) -- Poor prioritization (Case 20) -- Tiredness and stress -- lack of resources -- Psychological factors -- Conflicts between system issues and personal responsibility: a healthy work environment -- Person-centred paediatric errors and their causes -- The patient consultation (Cases 1, 2, 17, 24, 26, 36) -- Failure to identify a sick child (Case 31) -- Inability to perform practical procedures competently -- Failure to check test results or act on abnormal findings (Cases 1, 8, 21, 27, 35) -- Prescribing errors (Cases 7, 15, 30) -- Failures in resuscitation -- Clinical failings -- Nonclinical failings -- Sources of error in child protection cases (Cases 6, 33) -- Failure to…