The Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, has recently published an updated standard on reporting Medical Errors (MEs) by the healthcare facilities. This step has been taken by the Department of Health to prevent any untoward incidence of medical errors in the future. According to the update, any incidence of medication errors that leads to the death or permanent damage to a patient must be reported to the Department of Health within 48 hours of identification of the error. Similarly, any medication error that is associated with either no harm or temporary harm to the patient must be reported every month.
All MEs, including near misses and errors prevented by a health care staff or the patient, should also be reported. Furthermore, the healthcare facilities should identify and address the root cause that has led to the error. They should analyze and formulate strategies to improve the…
