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WebM&M Cases

Don't Dismiss the Dangerous: Obstetric Hemorrhage

• SPOTLIGHT CASE
 
• CME/CEU

Commentary by Elliott K. Main, MD

After an emergency cesarean delivery, a woman had progressive tachycardia and persistent hypertension. A CT scan showed no evidence of pulmonary embolism, but repeat blood tests showed a dangerously low hemoglobin level and markedly elevated liver enzyme levels. She was taken back to the operating room and found to have postpartum hemorrhage.

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Unexpected Drawbacks of Electronic Order Sets

Commentary by John D. McGreevey III, MD

A transition from paper orders to CPOE left out an important safety reminder, resulting in mismanagement of an elderly patient's low potassium and magnesium levels. This led to a fatal arrhythmia. The paper-based electrolyte order set had provided a reminder that magnesium replacement should accompany potassium replacement; however, in the computerized system, a separate order set was necessary for each electrolyte.

Continuity Errors in Resident Clinic

Commentary by Eric Warm, MD

After a motor vehicle collision, a patient with headaches and difficulty concentrating visited the internal medicine clinic. The covering resident diagnosed postconcussive syndrome and prescribed amitriptyline. The patient returned several days later with persistent symptoms. She saw a different resident, who ordered an MRI and referred her to neurology but mistakenly made the referral to the neuromuscular, rather than headache, clinic. With continued severe headaches, the patient returned a third time and saw her primary resident provider, who referred her to the correct neurology clinic.

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Perspectives on Safety

New Leaders in Safety and Quality

INTERVIEW

In Conversation With… Andrew Bindman, MD

Dr. Bindman, an expert in health policy in underserved populations, was appointed as director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in May 2016. We spoke with him about his new role at AHRQ.

INTERVIEW

In Conversation With… Derek Feeley

In January 2016, Mr. Feeley, a leading health care administrator from Scotland, became the third President and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), probably the most influential organization of its kind. We spoke with him about his work at IHI to improve health care quality and safety.

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