A Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory article revealed dietary errors occurred in 285 reported events from January 2009 through June 2015, and eight events caused serious harm to patients.
Here are four things to know:
1. The most frequently-reported error showed meals were delivered to patients who were allergic to a food item they received.
2. Susan Wallace, MPH, CPHRM, patient safety analyst of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority recognized the complicated process of delivering the right food to the right patient, and acknowledged several employees and services must "communicate, cooperate and function as a coordinated team."
3. Other errors included patients receiving the wrong diet or meals delivered to patients who were not to receive food by mouth.
4. Risk reduction strategies include educating healthcare workers about allergies and special diets and creating a written protocol for handling allergies.
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