Table 5 Factors associated with assigning error to a scenario as determined by qualitative analysis.
From: What do family physicians consider an error? A comparison of definitions and physician perception
Error decision making factor | Survey questions and findings | Supporting definitions | Non-supporting definitions |
|---|---|---|---|
Knowledge of harmful outcomes | 87 – 100% agree an error occurred in scenarios where harm is most evident (clinical symptoms continue, worsen or develop) 13 – 14% unable to make a decision about error where outcome is most unknown (missing test result) | "increases the risk of medical adverse event," "could harm a patient," "caused or contributed to unintended injury," "could have harmed or did harm a patient." | "failure of a planned action to be completed as intended or the use of a wrong plan." |
Everydayness of event | 26% to 53% disagree an error occurred in scenarios most likely to occur in physicians' offices (broken tube, lost test results) | "a failure to meet some realistic expectation" | "no matter how seemingly trivial or commonplace" |
Individual responsibility | 100% agree an error occurred in the scenario with most clear individual responsibility (missed abnormal result) | "errors in healthcare are human errors," "an act of commission or omission." | "failed processes," "a failure of a structure or process." |