Course Code: REL-RTS-0-IPMESA
Hours: 2
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2026
Learning Objectives:
Recognize at least three types of medical errors.
Identify factors impacting the occurrence of medical errors in speech-language pathology and audiology practice.
Select at least three medical error prevention strategies.
Determine two effective strategies to inform patients and their families about medical errors.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Medical Errors in SLP and Audiology Practice
Why It Matters
Scenarios
Overview
Medical Errors
Near Miss Events
Negligence
Adverse Events
Impact
Medical Errors in an SLP’s and Audiologist’s Practice
Scope of Practice
Review
Summary
Section 3: Common Medical Errors
Diagnostic Errors
Individual vs. System Errors
Transitions
Documentation
Medication Errors
Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Errors
Falls
Five Steps to Safer Healthcare
Review
Summary
Section 4: Response Following a Medical Error
Reporting Medical Errors
Penalties and Fines
National Reporting
State Reporting Requirements
Another Clinician’s Error
A Medical Error Occurred: Now What?
Apologize Appropriately
Root Cause Analysis
Common Root Causes of Medical Errors
Review
Summary
Section 5: Improving Outcomes
Collaboration
Feedback and a Just Culture
Goals and Recommendations
Using Complaints to Prevent Adverse Events
Ask the Patient and Family
Person-Centered Care and Education
Limited English Proficiency
Other Special Populations
Five Steps to Safer Healthcare
Keep Up with Latest Practices
Review
Summary
Section 6: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributor
Resources
References
Instructor: Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP
Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with over 40 years of experience. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Jacksonville State University and her Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from The University of Alabama. She has provided care to clients across the lifespan with diverse diagnostic conditions in settings including school, hospital, skilled nursing facility, outpatient clinic, and home health settings. In her previous role as a national clinical director for a contract therapy company, she developed training programs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology focusing on clinical rehabilitation needs of older adults in post-acute care. Currently, she serves as the Lead Subject Matter Expert Writer for Speech-Language Pathology at Relias, where she leverages her clinical expertise and analysis of published research. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Advanced, Intermediate, Introductory level Speech Language Pathologists; in the following settings: Rehabilitation Settings.
Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.
Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.
All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.