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Table 2 Description of reported errors with patient outcomes and hospital types

From: Female residents experiencing medical errors in general internal medicine: a qualitative study

Errors’ description with patient outcomes and an example

Number of errors

Missed diagnosis and/or inadequate surveillance, resulting in patient death

2

Example: Early signs of septic shock in a patient with cirrhosis were not identified

Missed diagnosis and delayed treatment, resulting in possible long term consequences for the patient

1

Delayed treatment of an acute coronary syndrome

Missed diagnosis, resulting in patient readmission

1

Missed diagnosis of pulmonary embolism during emergency outpatient visit

Missed diagnosis and/or delayed treatment, without any long-term consequences

4

Diabetic ketoacidosis misdiagnosed as a hyperventilation crisis

Medication error, resulting in severe but completely reversible consequences

1

Error in prescription of opiates resulting in respiratory failure

 

Hospital sites where the errors occurred

Number of errors

Community hospitals in Switzerland

6

(including ER and ICU where residents in internal medicine rotate)

University hospitals in Switzerland

2

Other hospitals (outside of Switzerland)

1