Question

When documenting the​ patient's history, the EMT mixed up the​ patient's medications with medications to which she is allergic. What type of patient safety error is​ this?

A. Failure to follow through error.
B. Inappropriate care error.
C. Communication error.
D. Handoff error.

Answer 1

Mixing up a patient's medications with their allergies is considered a Communication error in the healthcare setting. It signifies a failure in accurately exchanging information vital for patient safety and effective care.

Step-by-step explanation:

When documenting the patient’s history, if the EMT mixed up the patient’s medications with medications to which she is allergic, this would be considered a Communication error. This type of error occurs when there is a failure to accurately exchange information between healthcare professionals and the patient or within the healthcare team itself. Moreover, accurate documentation and communication are crucial in providing safe and effective patient care, and such mix-ups can have serious implications for patient safety, leading to potential allergic reactions or other adverse events.