Assessing the Impact and Root Causes of Medical Errors in a Multispeciality Hospital

Background Medical errors remain one of the leading causes of preventable harm in healthcare systems, particularly in complex Multispeciality hospital settings. Despite the implementation of structured safety frameworks and guidelines such as the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) accreditation, there are persistent challenges in identifying and addressing the root causes of medical errors. This study aims to systematically evaluate the types, frequencies, and underlying causes of medical errors in a Multispeciality hospital environment and assess the impact of quality improvement initiatives in mitigating these errors. Methods This study employed a retrospective descriptive-analytical design at a NABH-accredited Multispeciality hospital, analysing inpatient data collected over a six-month period (July to December 2024). A Purposive sampling method was applied to select and review incident reports, inpatient records, and quality audit logs. Various analytical tools including chi-square tests, Pearson's correlation, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) were used for data analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25. Results A total of 132 medical errors were identified, with documentation errors (28.7%), diagnostic delays (24.2%), and communication failures (19.6%) being the most prevalent. Root cause analysis (RCA) and failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) identified systemic issues such as inconsistent documentation practices, poor interdepartmental communication, and informal handoff protocols as key contributors to these errors. A chi-square test revealed a significant association between low surgical safety adherence and an increased frequency of transition handoff errors (χ² = 45.92, df = 1, p < 0.01). Statistical analyses revealed significant relationships between error types and hospital departments (χ² (16) = 57.23, p < 0.01), with surgical errors most common in surgical units and diagnostic errors prevalent in radiology. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.52, p < 0.05) was found between the frequency of medical errors and the length of hospital stay, highlighting the broader impact of errors on patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Following the implementation of corrective actions and quality improvement measures, including CAPA protocols, Lean Six Sigma, and enhanced checklist usage, a 30% reduction in error rates was observed by December 2024. Conclusions This study demonstrates that integrating quality improvement methodologies, including RCA, FMEA, and CAPA, significantly reduces the occurrence and severity of medical errors in Multispeciality hospitals. Key strategies for further enhancement of patient safety include strengthening communication systems, implementing procedural standardization, and fostering a data-driven, learning-oriented culture across all levels of healthcare delivery.