Question

mr. jones came into the hospital for a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). the surgery was a success and he was to be discharged at 5pm on 9/18. at approximately 2pm on 9/18 mr. jones went to the restroom. he wasn't paying attention (he was texting), and fell on the floor. he sprained his right ankle. this is an example of what type of error?

Answer 1

Mr. Jones's fall and subsequent ankle sprain in the hospital is considered an environmental safety incident, unrelated to medical procedures but potentially influenced by hospital conditions and patient distraction.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario described, Mr. Jones fell and sprained his right ankle while being inattentive due to texting after a successful cholecystectomy. This incident could be classified as an environmental safety incident, as the fall occurred within the healthcare setting but was not directly related to a medical error or procedural mistake. Instead, this was an accident that may have been influenced by hospital conditions such as the flooring or bathroom setup, compounded with patient distraction. Such cases reinforce the importance of ensuring environmental safety for patients who are recovering and may not be fully alert or coordinated.