E
rrors are inevitable in health care
because of the complicated nature of
the caring process. We have people
caring for patients, often using complex
equipment, and nobody is infallible. An errorfree
healthcare environment is not achievable,
but we can try to manage clinical risk and
reduce the incidence of harm occurring. We
can achieve a safer healthcare environment by
becoming aware of litigation, complaints and
patient-safety trends in our clinical areas. The
process of education and keeping up to date
with reports is essential. Learning the lessons of
the past from adverse incidents is a fundamental
prerequisite for achieving a safer NHS.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC)
has produced a report that looks at neonatal
care and at providing care for infants in the
community who need respiratory support
(CQC, 2016). It is quite a technical report,
but reveals a number of major patient safety
risks and failings where court cases for clinical
negligence have been brought in the past.
In England, one in every nine babies is
born needing care from neonatal services
and, according to the report, this number is
increasing. The care process can be complex,
with sick babies with complicated health
needs receiving hospital care, which is then
continued at home and in the community. The
care of the baby blurs and crosses the normally
distinct pathways or care areas, and sometimes
problems occur: