Medical errors and surgical negligence in the 21st century: challenges for the global health care system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/PS.2025.3(88).95111Keywords:
medical errors, surgery and general practice, pediatric surgery, orthopedics and traumatology, medical expertiseAbstract
The article presents a literature review on medical errors and surgical negligence in the 21st century.
Aim - to summarize current scientific data on the nature, causes, and consequences of medical errors and surgical negligence in the 21st century, as well as to identify ways to prevent them and minimize risks to patients.
The analyzed data demonstrate that the incidence of such cases has not shown a significant decline over time. According to most studies, scientific and technological progress has not substantially reduced the number of clinical errors or misjudgments. The main cause of medical errors is most often identified as communication breakdowns between patients, their relatives, and medical staff - both physicians and nurses. Of particular importance is the comprehensive approach to studying not only the errors themselves but also the underlying factors contributing to them. The experience of professional associations, particularly in the United States and Germany, is noteworthy: these organizations not only maintain registries of medical errors but also analyze their causes and develop preventive strategies.
It is considered reasonable that a similar association should operate in Ukraine, aimed not only at documenting medical errors but also at studying their causes, developing preventive measures, and providing professional and legal support for health care practitioners involved in litigation.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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