That Could Be Dangerous: A Look at Medical Errors in the Intensive Care Unit

Cabrielle Morrow

Medical errors in the intensive care unit are unfortunately a mass problem that plagues the healthcare profession. A medical error can be defined as a preventable adverse effect of care that affects the client. The intensive care unit (ICU) is a high-acuity place where critically ill clients receive care for their diagnosis. The goal of this research is to identify what causes medical errors and how they can best be avoided. Due to the complexity of the ICU, medical errors can easily take place. There can be different types of medical errors such as giving a client the wrong medication or not analyzing assessment cues properly. These errors can be caused by a lack of knowledge, unsafe staffing, or improper resources. Medical errors can cause great harm to the client, the client’s family, the individual who committed the error, and the healthcare profession as a whole. Prevention of medical errors can be best achieved when adequate knowledge, staff, and resources are made available.