Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) Process Workflow & Information Management Redesign Practice Exam

What is an omission in healthcare?

1. A failure to document a patient's history

2. An error that occurs because an action is not taken

3. A mistake in medication dosage

4. A delay in treatment due to administrative errors

The correct answer is: An error that occurs because an action is not taken

An omission in healthcare refers specifically to an error that arises from not taking a necessary action. This can occur in various circumstances, such as not ordering a required test, failing to administer a medication, or neglecting to follow a procedure that is essential for patient safety and care. In the context of patient care, such omissions can have significant consequences, as they may result in missed diagnoses, improper treatment, or deteriorating health conditions. The other options describe different scenarios related to healthcare errors but do not accurately represent the concept of an omission. For instance, failing to document a patient's history is an important error, yet it does not involve a lack of action that directly affects a patient at that moment. Mistakes in medication dosage and delays in treatment due to administrative errors also highlight failures in care, but they involve specific errors or delays rather than the act of not performing a necessary action. Therefore, the definition of an omission is best captured by the notion of an error that occurs specifically because an action was not taken, making the selected answer correct.