• Susan McDaniel Hohenhaus.
• Office of Patient Safety and Quality, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA. shohenha@ptd.net
• J Emerg Nurs. 2008 Feb 1;34(1):20-5.

IntroductionThis study describes issues concerning emergency nurses in 2 states and their experiences and perspectives regarding the recognition, reporting, and resolution of medical error.MethodsTo illustrate the issues involved in medical error reporting in this clinical specialty, a written survey of emergency nurses was conducted for the purpose of evaluating current practice of reporting medical error in the emergency department.ResultsThere is little evidence that practical advice and guidance exist for nurses in general and for emergency nurses in particular regarding the issue of medical error recognition, reporting, and resolution. Clinicians are reluctant to report medical error in the structure and framework that is being used currently.DiscussionThere is a need for a practiced, standardized approach to medical error reporting that includes improved teamwork, conflict resolution, and appropriate reporting methodology education that should be paired with mandatory reporting laws.

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