What are Common Types of Patient Harm in Cancer Treatment?
Several types of patient harm can occur during cancer treatment, including:
1. Medication Errors: These can happen due to incorrect dosage, wrong medication, or drug interactions. For example, chemotherapy drugs require precise dosing, and errors can lead to severe side effects or diminished treatment efficacy. 2. Radiation Therapy Complications: Incorrect targeting or dosing of radiation can cause damage to surrounding healthy tissues, leading to complications such as burns, organ damage, or secondary cancers. 3. Surgical Errors: Mistakes during cancer surgeries, such as removing the wrong tissue or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, can cause significant harm. 4. Infections: Patients undergoing cancer treatment, especially those receiving chemotherapy, have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections, which can be life-threatening. 5. Delayed Diagnosis: Any delay in diagnosing cancer can result in progression to more advanced stages, making treatment less effective and increasing the risk of harm.
