Preventing Medical Errors: Role of Audiologists and SLPs
This course for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists addresses how to identify, prevent, and respond to medical errors with adult patients in post-acute care. Learners will examine the prevalence and root causes of errors in healthcare and explore strategies for reducing risks in speech, language, swallowing, and hearing care across various settings. Through case examples and practical scenarios, the course highlights how SLPs and audiologists can recognize potential errors, take corrective action, and improve patient safety and outcomes.
This course for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists addresses how to identify, prevent, and respond to medical errors with adult patients in post-acute care. Learners will examine the prevalence and root causes of errors in healthcare and explore strategies for reducing risks in speech, language, swallowing, and hearing care across various settings. Through case examples and practical scenarios, the course highlights how SLPs and audiologists can recognize potential errors, take corrective action, and improve patient safety and outcomes.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
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Various Level
0.20 ASHA CEUs
Kansas Health Department of Aging and Disability Services (Speech)
Approved for 2.0000 continuing education clock hours for Kansas Speech Pathologists and Audiologists by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability. Long Term Sponsorship number LTS-S1057. This activity is approved for 2.0000 contact hours.
Recognize what constitutes a medical error and its frequency and impact in healthcare, including in SLP and audiology practice.
Differentiate between types of patient safety events, including near misses, adverse events, sentinel events, and never events.
Identify common system and human factors that contribute to medical errors in SLP and audiology practice.
Recognize evidence-based strategies and processes that reduce the risks of medical errors and support disclosure and reporting consistent with Just Culture principles.
Outline:
Section 1: Medical Errors: Introduction and Frequency
Introduction to Medical Errors
Why This Matters
Case Scenarios
Frequency of Medical Errors
Most Frequent Types
AMA Is Not a Medical Error
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 2: Medical Error Events
Event-Based Categories
Near Miss Events
Adverse Events
Impact of Event-Based Medical Errors
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 3: Causes: Individual Versus System Factors
Why Errors Happen
System Factors
Human Factors
Applying Causes to Case Scenarios
Additional Scenarios
Scope of Practice and Competence
Training and Supervision for New Skills
Multiskilling
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 4: Reporting Medical Errors
Reporting Medical Errors
Barriers to Reporting
National Reporting Options
State Reporting Requirements
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 5: Responding to and Learning From Medical Errors
Creating a Culture of Safety
A Patient Safety Framework
Collaboration
Feedback
Building a Just Culture
Putting National Safety Goals in Practice
Responding to Medical Errors
Planning Your Response
What Patients and Families Should Receive After an Error
Communicating After Harm
Who Should Communicate With the Patient/Family?
Offering an Appropriate Apology
Steps for an Effective Apology
Quick Check
Learning From Errors With Root Cause Analysis
Example
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 6: Partnering With Patients and Families to Prevent Errors
Why Patient and Family Engagement Matters
Communication Strategies for Safer Care
Putting Safety Principles Into Daily Practice
Special Populations and Safety Risks
Older Adults
Patients With Physical, Sensory, or Cognitive Impairments
Patients With Limited Financial Means
Patients From Racial or Ethnic Minorities
Limited English Proficiency
Health Literacy and Accessible Materials
Learning From Complaints and Concerns
Why Complaints Matter
Common Complaint Themes
Turning Complaints Into Action
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 7: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Information
Course Contributor
Resources
References
Subject Matter Expert: Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP
Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with over 40 years of experience. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Jacksonville State University and her Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from The University of Alabama. She has provided care to clients across the lifespan with diverse diagnostic conditions in school, hospital, skilled nursing facility, outpatient clinic, and home health settings. In her previous role as a national clinical director for a contract therapy company, she developed training programs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology focusing on clinical rehabilitation needs of older adults in post-acute care. Currently, she serves as the Lead Subject Matter Expert Writer for Speech-Language Pathology at Relias, where she leverages her clinical expertise and analysis of published research. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The target audience for this course is: Introductory level Speech-Language Pathologists; Introductory level Speech-Language Pathology Assistant; in the following settings: Assisted Living Facility, Home Health Agencies, Rehabilitation Settings, Skilled Nursing Facility.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
