1. Medical Errors
Zheng Yan
Advised by:
Dr. Dan France, Ph.D, MPH

2. Background
Recent studies show that emergency departments around the country generate very high rates of adverse events and patient complaints.

3. Problem
High level of stress, fatigue and workload in physicians contribute to the large rates of error and patient complaints each year
Interruptions, task load and resource constraints are factors that influence the level of stress, fatigue and workload in physicians

4. Objective
The main goal of the study is the identification of inefficiencies in the workflow that increase the physician’s workload, stress and fatigue
By evaluating the factors that contribute to the stress, workload and fatigue of residents staffing the VUMC’s adult emergency department.

5. Timeline
January: Time-motion observations of individual ED physicinans; Merging of observational data with ED “system” data from electronic Whiteboard.
February - April : Analyze, review results and write report

6. Preliminary Work Research of current literature on medical errors
Project schedule and related activities discussed with advisor
Data of adult ED physicians collected and compiled

7. Future Work Time motion observations of nurses
Combining of electronic White board data and nurse observation data
Analysis of combined data for physicians and nurses
Creation of strategies for improvement of human communication and medical computer systems to reduce level of medical errors