Psychological injury

Omission errors, incorrect doses, and prescribing errors were the top three causes of medication errors reported by health systems in 2002. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) tracks sentinel events submitted to it by accredited heathcare facilities. A sentinel event is an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof. Table 16.3 lisfs fhe roof causes of medication errors reported by JCAHO-accredited organizations. ... 

Most members of professional, volunteer Armed Forces accept that the job entails a certain exposure to physical danger. With that goes an equally inescapable exposure to the risk of psychological injury - the two are closely correlated (Jones and Wessely, 2001). Certain factors also increase this risk. Studies have shown that the psychological consequences of being wounded by your own side are far greater than when it occurs as a result of enemy action. The latter is part of the military contract - the former is not. This is the problem of friendly fire. 

Psychological. Injury to persons due to mental conflicts such as sudden noises, perceived danger, preoccupation or distraction. 

All assaults must be investigated, reports made, and needed corrective action determined. However, methods of investigation must be such that the individual does not perceive blame or criticism for assaultive actions taken by the attacker. The circumstances of the incident or other information that will help to prevent further problems need to be identified, but not to blame the worker for incompetence and compound the psychological injury that is most commonly experienced. 

These are people whose psychological makeup causes them to attract trouble. When such a man is detected, he must be placed in a position where the probability of his being injured or causing an injury is very low. 

Risk — the probability of harm or injury (physical, psychological, social, or economic) occurring because of participation in a research study. Both the probability and magnitude of possible harm can vary from minimal to significant. 

Whatever the origin of chemical bum lesions (i.e., whether resulting from a domestic accident, a chemical assault, or an industrial accident), such injuries can often result in serious functional visual injuries and significant physical and psychological consequences for the victims. 

Despite the deeply held convictions of drug proponents, there are no specific psychoactive drug treatments for specific mental disorders. There is, of course, a certain amount of biological and psychological variation in the way people respond to drugs, shock treatment, or even lobotomy or an accidental head injury. However, as a general principle, biopsychiatric interventions have a nonspecific impact that does not depend on the person s mental state or condition. For example, it will be shown that neuroleptics and lithium affect animals and normal volunteers in much the same way as they affect patients, in part by subduing their overall emotional responsiveness. 

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