Which type of medical error refers to intentional deviations from policy or procedure?

Which type of medical error refers to intentional deviations from policy or procedure?

• A. Violations
• B. Slips/Lapses
• C. Mistakes
• D. Errors

Answer: (A)

Intentional deviations from policy or procedure are called violations. This term specifically refers to choosing to do something that you know goes against established rules, standards, or safety protocols. In healthcare safety, violations are distinguished from unintentional action failures like slips and lapses (where the step is missed or memory fails) and from mistakes (where the plan or judgment itself is flawed). The word “violation” captures the deliberate nature of the behavior, such as bypassing a sterilization protocol, skipping a required checklist, or administering a medication outside approved guidelines. Recognizing violations is important because they point to issues in policy adherence and system barriers that may need organizational changes or stronger accountability, rather than just focusing on individual errors.

Intentional deviations from policy or procedure are called violations. This term specifically refers to choosing to do something that you know goes against established rules, standards, or safety protocols. In healthcare safety, violations are distinguished from unintentional action failures like slips and lapses (where the step is missed or memory fails) and from mistakes (where the plan or judgment itself is flawed). The word “violation” captures the deliberate nature of the behavior, such as bypassing a sterilization protocol, skipping a required checklist, or administering a medication outside approved guidelines. Recognizing violations is important because they point to issues in policy adherence and system barriers that may need organizational changes or stronger accountability, rather than just focusing on individual errors.