GP.2. Error Management Project

Error Management Project (Austria)

Our main goal in Austria is to establish a new culture in dealing with medical errors. Two years ago (2005) we started an Error Management project. The objectives of this project are to conduct a survey on the efforts and structures in error management and patient safety, the development of a training program and the organisation of pilot groups in Austrian hospitals, and to establish a national Centre of Error Management Care as well as an I.T. based reporting system.

Most adverse events and medical errors happen in the field of medication through inappropriate use of medicines including antibiotics, and inappropriate hygiene strategies. Our Ministry therefore is focusing on improving patient safety in this area of health care.


Author: Dr.Maria Woschitz-Merkaè, Federal Ministry of Health and Women, Dep. IV/3, Vienna/Austria (e-mail: Maria.Woschitz-Merkac@bmgf.gv.at).


Responsible for the Error Management Project:

• Dr. Stefan Dinges,
  IFF-Palliative Care und OrganisationsEthik,
  Fakultät für Interdisziplinäre Forschung und Fortbildung Alpen-Adria-
  Universität Klagenfurt,
  Schottenfeldgasse 29/4/1, A-1070 Wien,
  email: stefan.dinges@uni-klu.ac.at