Question

In "To Err is Human," the American Institute for Medicine categorizes all errors into two types, the "error of execution" and the "error of planning." Explain each of these error types and give an example of each.

Answer 1

To Err is Human:

Errors may result into potential adverse drug events as well as preventable adverse drug events. To Err is Human can help to build a Safer Health Care System. An error is defined is an act of commission or omission that leads to an adverse events resulting in unintended harm to the patient. The unintended harm is caused by the act of commission or omission rather than by the disease or the underlying condition of the patient.

Error of Execution refers to the failure to complete a planned action as intended. As example of error of execution is the failure to provide the intended medication or treatment to the patient.

Error of Planning refers to the use of a wrong plan to achieve an objective. An error of planning is wrong dose of medication administered to a patient.