The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversees medical uses of nuclear material through licensing, inspection, and enforcement programs. An article published in Practical Radiation Oncology1 describes a review of brachytherapy errors reported by licensees to the NRC. The article classified and evaluated the types and numbers of reported brachytherapy errors over a 2-year period of time. The […]
MERP helps facilitate a safety culture where greater attention is directed at confirming that detailed processes are performed correctly by referencing various standards, recommendations, and regulations.
MERP provides a methodology to measure performance against benchmark standards of practice.
Radiation oncology is an exceedingly complicated system where accidents happen. Any single error, combination, and propagation of errors in radiation oncology can negatively impact patient outcomes. An error reduction program helps institutions minimize risk to patients and health care workers.
MERP is a medical error reduction software program specifically designed to help minimize errors, improve performance, reduce cost, lessen liability, decrease regulatory infractions, and positively contribute to patient outcomes in the radiation oncology treatment delivery process.
Ineffective error management can lead to reduced quality, increased inefficiency, and increased legal and/or regulatory liabilities.
MERP is a powerful tool for implementing proactive risk reduction through error analysis and action plans. MERP facilitates a comprehensive approach to improving patient safety through the reduction of preventable systems-related errors.
