NEW DELHI: An estimated 52 lakh injuries occur annually due to medical errors, including medication errors and hospital-acquired infections, according to a health ministry communication that has prompted the National Medical Commission (NMC) to push for stronger patient safety mechanisms in medical colleges and hospitals.In a notice issued last week, NMC advised all medical colleges and med institutions to appoint a patient safety nodal officer and set up a dedicated patient safety committee or cell to monitor safety practices, review incidents and recommend corrective action.
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Experts said medical errors are preventable lapses causing harm, ranging from wrong drugs or dosages and infections due to unsterile equipment to bedsores.The estimate was cited in a May 8 communication from additional director general of health services, which flagged the need to strengthen patient safety practices across medical colleges & hospitals.The proposed cells will cover 11 domains, including medication and surgical safety, blood transfusions, medical devices, lab and diagnostic procedures, hospital-acquired infections, antimicrobial resistance, vaccine and injection safety, and facility safety.The committees will be responsible for facilitating the reporting and analysis of patient safety incidents, near misses and high-risk events. They will identify gaps in systems, recommend corrective and preventive measures.
