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Beth Lilja Pedersen

Publications and source records attributed to Beth Lilja Pedersen.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Clinical decision support: Is the number of medication errors reduced?].

22 papers on clinical decision support (CDS) for computer physician order entry (CPOE) and the ability to reduce medication errors were reviewed. Among the 22 original clinical trials, 21 demonstrated a reduced number of medication errors after the implementation of CDS. The effect was strongest for 2nd and 3rd generation of the CDS-systems. CPOE with CDS is time consuming and may generate new medication errors in itself. All the trials had poor designs. A Danish data source for CDS has not yet been established.

Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems↗
PubMed2006

[Adverse events management. Methods and results of a development project].

INTRODUCTION: This article describes the methods and results of a project in the Copenhagen Hospital Corporation (H:S) on preventing adverse events. The aim of the project was to raise awareness about patients' safety, test a reporting system for adverse events, develop and test methods of analysis of events and propagate ideas about how to prevent adverse events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: H:S developed an action plan and a reporting system for adverse events, founded an organization and developed an educational program on theories and methods of learning from adverse events for both leaders and employees. RESULTS: During the three-year period from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004, the H:S staff reported 6011 adverse events. In the same period, the organization completed 92 root cause analyses. More than half of these dealt with events that had been optional to report, the other half events that had been mandatory to report. CONCLUSION: The number of reports and the front-line staff's attitude towards reporting shows that the H:S succeeded in founding a safety culture. Future work should be centred on developing and testing methods that will prevent adverse events from happening. The objective is to suggest and complete preventive initiatives which will help increase patient safety.

Denmark↗
PubMed2006

[Wrong-site surgery: incidence and prevention].

INTRODUCTION: This paper illustrates how reporting of adverse events can be used to introduce changes in an organization. Starting from reports of incidents on wrong-site surgery, a method to prevent them and its implementation in the Copenhagen Hospital Corporation (H:S) are described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The H:S adverse event database, the Danish Patient Insurance Association and international sources were searched to estimate the extent of wrong-site surgery. A method to prevent wrong-site surgery developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was adapted for Danish conditions. It was introduced as "The Five Steps" in H:S in May 2005, accompanied by an information campaign. RESULTS: Wrong-site surgery incidents are rare: reports in the H:S show an occurrence of 1:32,500 surgical procedures, consistent with international figures. Seven root cause analyses were performed and showed a need for a more structured identification and communication process among the members of the operating team. The Five Steps were designed to prevent such problems. None of the Five Steps is in itself new or revolutionary. The crucial parts are systematization of the identification process and increased communication among the members of the operating team. The procedure is not associated with substantial resource utilization and involves more a change in culture than an investment. The method can be widely implemented in hospitals in Denmark without major changes. CONCLUSION: Wrong-site surgery is a rare but serious adverse event. This paper describes the results of root cause analyses after reports of incidents in the H:S. The analyses showed a need for better and more structured communication and identification of patients before surgical intervention.

Communication↗
PubMed2003

Screening for congenital malformations by ultrasonography in the general population of pregnant women: factors affecting the efficacy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the efficacy of screening for fetal malformations is affected by patient-, staff-, team- or work environment-related factors. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out at a Danish university hospital with 4000 deliveries per year. In total, 7963 fetuses were examined by midtrimester ultrasound scan during 1997 and 1998. The infants were followed up to the age of at least 1 year. The main outcome measures were the detection rate (DR) of fetal abnormalities in relation to patient factors, staff factors, team and work environment factors. RESULTS: Significant malformations were detected in 100 fetuses or infants, corresponding to an incidence of 1.3%. The prenatal DR was 60%. High maternal body mass index (BMI) was associated with a lower DR, while the presence of twins, the gestational age at time of screening and the sonographer's level of experience were not. Fetuses with a prenatally undetected malformation were more often examined by more than one sonographer than fetuses without congenital malformations. Workload or monotony did not seem to affect the efficacy of screening. There was a trend towards a lower detection rate at midday and when most of the staff were at work. CONCLUSIONS: Some team and work environment factors that may affect the detection rate of fetal abnormalities were identified and have been changed: appointments for screening have been reorganized, regular breaks for all the staff introduced and second opinions are given by a specialist in fetomaternal medicine. The new system will be followed up to ensure that the reorganization has not created new organizational mistakes.

Adult↗