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The normalization of deviance in healthcare delivery
1Center for Ethics, Emory University, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322 U.S.A, jbanja@emory.edu.
Business Horizons
|February 18, 2010
Summary
Serious medical errors often stem from ignored practice standards. This normalization of unsafe practices can persist, risking patient safety and quality care. Healthcare organizations must proactively identify and manage these deviations.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Patient Safety
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Medical errors frequently arise from deviations from established standards of practice.
- Egregious violations of these standards can become normalized within healthcare systems over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the factors contributing to the normalization of unsafe practices in healthcare.
- To explain the persistence of flagrant practice deviations despite their importance.
- To offer recommendations for healthcare organizations to identify and manage unsafe practices before normalization.
Main Methods:
- This article is a descriptive and analytical review.
- It synthesizes existing literature and case examples on practice deviations and normalization.
- It focuses on the systemic and organizational factors involved.
Main Results:
- Normalization of practice deviations occurs due to systemic factors, lack of oversight, and cultural acceptance.
- These deviations can persist for years, posing significant risks.
- Proactive identification and management are crucial.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare organizations must implement robust systems to detect and address unsafe practices.
- Preventing the normalization of deviations is key to safeguarding patient safety, care quality, and staff morale.
- Continuous monitoring and intervention are essential.
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