Medical Devices with a High Incidence of Human Error

6 Medical Devices with a High Incidence of Human Error 

The occurrence of human errors in using medical devices is a pressing problem. For example, human errors in using medical devices cause, on average, at least three serious injuries or deaths per day [22]. Therefore, over the years various types of studies have been conducted to identify those medical devices that have a high incidence of human error. Such studies revealed data on the following devices, listed in the order of most error-prone to least error-prone [22]  

Glucose meter Balloon catheter Orthodontic bracket aligner Administration kit for peritoneal dialysis Permanent pacemaker electrode Implantable spinal cord simulator Intravascular catheter Infusion pump Urological catheter 

Electrosurgical cutting and coagulation device Nonpowered suction apparatus Hydraulic/mechanical impotence device Implantable pacemaker Peritoneal dialysate delivery system Catheter introducer Catheter guide wire 

Transluminal coronary angioplasty catheter External low-energy defibrillator 

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