Running head; PRAIRIE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 1

Prairie Regional Medical Center

Name

Course

Professor

Date
PRAIRIE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 2

Prairie Regional Medical Center

Introduction

Medical error is a serious concern in any health facility because it can bring suffering to
the patient and psychological torture to the professional committing the offense. However, when
an error is identified, it should help the human resource personnel institute measures of
preventing similar or related issues from arising in the future (Bengtsson et al., 2021; Rodziewicz
et al., 2021; Salar et al., 2020). The two main kinds of error include error of mission and error of
commission. Error of omission happens when one fails to take action while errors of commission
happen if a wrong action was performed (Rodziewicz et al., 2021). The case study used in
answering questions in this study was drawn from Prairie Regional Medical Center (PMRC). It is
an example of error of omission, committed by a registered nurse and helps in bringing forth
several lessons on how to deal with patients and professionals when such an error occurs.

Discussion Questions
1. How should Pam handle the complaint by the patient? What is the danger of
disregarding the patient’s complaint?

This case is important in two ways, and Pam is in a better position of exercising
leadership. First, Pam was not comfortable with Renee’s working schedule but since this was
agreed upon before getting this role he had reservations even though he understand Renee’s life
struggle. Second, he cannot disregard patients’ genuine complaint because the hospital’s main
duty is to offer satisfactory services to the patients (Bengtsson et al., 2021; Rodziewicz et al.,
2021). Therefore, the best way for Pam to handle the patients’ complaint is to institute
investigation and assign a different nurse to the patient. In the mean time, the patient should be
assured that the facility has measures in place to investigate any complaint and enforce the
recommendation of the investigation (Salar et al., 2020). The patient’s complaint cannot be
disregarded because it puts the hospital in a precarious position of negligence and public distrust.

2. Should Pam consider changing Renee’s shift schedule? Are there any limits to the
number of shifts or hours that nurses should work? Do you think there should be?

Pam understands the life challenges that Renee is undergoing and the best solution is not
to bring drastic change that could worsen her situation because this may have a lasting impact on
her productivity. Therefore, Pam should not consider changing her shift schedule but sit down
with her and inquire if it would be possible to inquire for an arrangement with the husband so
that they have a rotation of working shift. For instance, if husband works night shift she works
day shift and vice-versa in the following week. Pam could also consider arranging the shift so
that no given patient will have a dedicated nurse. This makes it easy for the nurse to handle
patients diligently.

3. How should Pam respond to Felix’s wife’s demand that Renee is fired?
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Pam should inform Felix’s wife that the hospital has mechanism of investigating cases
and complaints in the hospital and instituting appropriate measures against their staff, and that
one person cannot determine ultimate fate of any employee. If Renee will be culpable, since this
is the first complaint against her, then appropriate measures will be taken into consideration.

4. Should this situation be addressed by a QI team, or is this simply an unfortunate

situation arising from a troubled employee?

This case appears like an unfortunate situation that arose from a troubled employee.
Remember that Renee’s working shift was agreed upon because of her situation at home to
ensure one parent was available for the kids when the other was working and that this was
expected to have a toll on her productivity. Perhaps, it would be wise to sit down with her and
listen to her if she could agree to talking with her husband so that they arrange for a rotation in
shifts or to ensure she works alongside other nurses and should not be assigned particular
patients so that in case a mistake if committed another nurse can rectify.

5. Could this situation have been avoided if the organization’s human resources
management systems had been different? If, so, what HR systems might have played a role
in this situation?

It is likely that if organization human resource system had adequate staffing pattern, this
would have ensured that no nursing staff works more than 8 hours. Renee works 12 hour a day
and this is the main cause of medical error because of fatigue (Bengtsson et al., 2021;
Rodziewicz et al., 2021; Salar et al., 2020). Organizational structures should ensure adequate
staffs work optimally thereby reducing the chance of them making mistakes alongside their
duties. The HR should have ensured Renee works within the acceptable time frame (8 hours a
day) to minimize fatigue.

Conclusion

Errors of omission have profound effect on patient’s health outcome. While organization
human resource factor had a role in this case where Renee was assigned to work for 12 hours a
day making it hard for her to be productive, lack of proper communication between patient and
Renee also played a role. To avoid the reoccurrence of this type of error, it is advised that nurses
be assigned working schedules that lowers fatigue and enhance their productivity.
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References

Bengtsson, M., Ekedahl, A. B. I., & Sjöström, K. (2021). Errors linked to medication
management in nursing homes: an interview study. BMC nursing, 20(1), 1-10. Available
from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12912-021-00587-2

Rodziewicz, T. L., Houseman, B., & Hipskind, J. E. (2021). Medical error reduction and
prevention. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499956/

Salar, A., Kiani, F., & Rezaee, N. (2020). Preventing the medication errors in hospitals: A
qualitative study. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 13, 100235.
Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214139120301128