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Are Patients Concerned about Medical Errors in Emergency Department?

Background: Concern about medical errors in all patients has been elevated recently. Understanding of how patients conceptualize medical error would help health care providers to diminish safety concerns and increase patient satisfaction. This study was performed to evaluate patients worrisome from medical errors and relationship with patient concern, characteristic and satisfaction. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done in Tehran on October 2008. A questionnaire was performed to assess patients feeling about medical errors and their satisfactions according to Likert Scale. During 1 week period, all of the patients who came to the emergency department of Hazrat Rasool Akram hospital were included in the study. Patients who had altered level of consciousness or intoxication or were less than 18 years old were excluded. Telephone interviews were conducted 7 days later. Patients were asked about medical safety, concerns about medical errors and satisfaction with care. Data were gathered and analyzed by %2 and T Test via SPSS 14 software. Results: Of 638 patients, 48.3% of patients reported experiencing at least one specific error related concern; that most commonly were consuming too much time in emergency ward and medical stadents faalts. Their concerns were associated with age, educational level, length of stay and disposition (P<0.001). 62% of patients showed high satisfaction regarding medical care service. Patient satisfaction was highly related to their concern. Conclusion: Although many patients have a good sense of security medical care services, but due to stressful situation in emergency departments, understanding of patient concerns, education and good communication with patients could decrease their concerns and increase satisfaction.