Question

James is a first-year surgery resident on his first pediatric rotation. His attending (consultant) asks him to immediately start intravenous (IV) replacement fluids on a two-year-old boy who is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. James has recently learned the guidelines for calculating fluid replacement rates for very small children; however, he confuses them and picks a rate that is too high.

To prevent this type of error from recurring in this unit, which of the following is MOST important?
(A) Clearer medical guidelines for fluid replacement in patients of all ages
(B) An improved culture of safety
(C) A change to the system, so that it does not rely as heavily on human memory
(D) More severe, well-publicized consequences for providers who are reckless

Answer 1

The most important factor to prevent the recurrence of errors like James' high fluid replacement rate is an improved culture of safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important factor to prevent the recurrence of errors like James' high fluid replacement rate is (B) An improved culture of safety. Improving the culture of safety in the unit involves promoting a shared responsibility among healthcare professionals for patient safety, encouraging communication and teamwork, implementing safety protocols and checklists, and fostering an environment where reporting and learning from mistakes are encouraged. By prioritizing safety and creating a culture that supports it, errors can be mitigated and patient outcomes can be improved.