Objective To provide evidence for establishing a medical risk precaution and monitoring system in China by evidence-based evaluation of the medical risk monitoring and precaution system in Canada, including the current situation and corresponding prevention measures. Method According to the unified search strategy made by our research group, we searched relevant databases and official or government websites. We included articles about medical risk management, medical error and patient safety in Canada. The included articles were classified and the quality was ranked. Results A total of 15 articles were included, among which 10 were official documents (about 2/3) and 5 described research methods (about 1/3), mainly involving medical risk management or evaluation, medical error and patient safety. In 2002, Canada established its National Steering Committee on Patient Safety (NSCPS) and proposed the suggestions to integrate health care resources accross the country, build a patient safety system, and established the Canada Patient Safety Institution (CPSI) to improve patient safety. Canada revised the patient safety management system, collected and issued related information, strengthened doctor-patient communication, developed continuous education for medical staff, practiced the best medical behavior and model and improved lawsuit procedures. These activities have achieved great progress in practice. Conclusions What have been done in Canada will provide a guide for us to establish scientific patient safety system and promote public awareness of patient safety.
Objective To analyze experiences of medical risk management in the United Kingdom so as to explore the possible application for the construction of a Chinese medical risk monitoring and early warning system. Methods We searched Engineering Information, SCI and SSCI, EMBASE, SCOPUS with 100% MEDLINE, VIP, CNKI, and government or official websites. This search was conducted in Jan. 2006. We included articles about medical risk, patient safety and medical errors in the UK. Languages of articles were limited either in English or in Chinese. Results Eleven articles were included, of which 9 article are evidence of level B (about 80%) and the other 2 are evidence of level C (about 20%). The report of “An Organization with a Memory” revealed the severity of medical errors and adverse events in the UK in 2000, and subsequently Minister Blair announced a five-year reform program for NHS. Within 7 years of reform, NHS budget has been increased from £33 billion to £674 billion,(check numbers-doesn’t sound correct) the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) and the New National System for learning from adverse events and near misses have been established, a series of practicable measures aimed at ensuring patient safety, preventing medical risk and improving healthcare quality have been implemented, all of which have effectively resolved many problems that perplexed the government and public, such as patients waiting time, range of NHS service, the availability of medical facility and mortality induced by high-risk diseases. Conclusion There are both advantages and disadvantages in the present status of the UK medical risk management. Both of them will provide a guide to prevent medical risk, improve healthcare quality and to realize the ultimate goal that everybody could share healthcare sources fairly and safely in our country.
Objective To evaluate evidence from American medical risk monitoring and precaution system (AMRMPS) which may affect the construction of Chinese medical risk monitoring and precaution system (CMRMPS). Methods We searched relevant databases and Internet resources to identify literature on AMRMPS, medical errors, and patient safety. We used the quality evaluation system for medical risk management literature to extract and evaluate data. Results In 1999, a report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) not only showed the severity and cause of medical errors in America but also gave the solution of it. In 2000, the Quality Interagency Coordination Task Force (QuIC) was appointed to assess the IOM report and take specific steps to improve AMRMPS. After 5 years, a well-developed medical risk management system was established with the improvement in the public awareness of medical errors, patient safety, performance criteria of medical safety, information technology and error reporting system. There was still some weakness of this system in risk precaution and prevention. Conclusion The experience from AMRMPS can be used to establish the CMRMPS. Firstly, we should disseminate and strengthen the awareness of medical risk and patient safety in public. Secondly, we should establish hospital audit system which includes auditing of medical staff and course of medical risk in continuing and academic education. Thirdly, we should develop regulations and guidelines on health care, medical purchase and drug supply which will benefit in management of regular work. Fourthly, we should develop computer information system for hospital which will regulate the management without the disturbance from human. Lastly, we should emphasize outcome evaluations and strive for perfection during the process.
Objective To provide information for the establishment of a medical risk monitoring and precaution system in China, by reviewing and analyzing the current status of medical risk management system and preventative measures in New Zealand, Methods We searched EI (1969-2006), SCI and SSCI (1975-2006), EMBASE (1966-2006), SCOPUS (included 100% MEDLINE) (1960-2006), VIP (1989-2006), CNKI (1979-2006) and relevant official and governmental websites. This search was conducted in January 2006 and articles about medical risk management and prevention were collected. Results We included 10 articles involving medical adverse events, patient safety and medical litigation. New Zealand took many measures in order to prevent medical error and improve medical quality, including strengthening medical practice standards, doctor-patient communication, safety awareness and promoting informationization of hospitals. New Zealand also revised “The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act” and improved medical litigation to form an appropriate law environment. Conclusions New Zealand has taken many measures and established a medical risk management system to prevent medical risk. Some issues of particular relevance to China include building corresponding medical litigation and relevant laws and regulations.