Frederick G. Crane

Preventing Medication Errors in Hospitals through a Systems Approach and Technological Innovation: A Prescription for 2010

Medication errors in hospital settings are considered both widespread and costly to the American healthcare system; yet, it is tractable to available solutions. This article offers a novel prescription for the problem that could be implemented by 2010. It consists of a systems approach—failure mode effects analysis (FMEA)—in combination with emerging technologies, such as a decision support system (DDS) with integrated real-time medical informatics, electronic medical records (EMR), computer physician order entry (CPOE), bar coding, automated dispensing machines (ADM), and robotics. Cost and benefit analysis reveals that this proposed integrated solution will radically reduce medication errors in hospitals and save the lives of thousands of Americans who frequent such facilities on an annual basis, as well as reduce healthcare costs.

Dispositional Optimism and Entrepreneurial Success

This article investigated the role dispositional optimism plays in entrepreneurial success. An examination of the existing entrepreneurial literature over a 25-year period indicates that dispositional optimism—the global expectation that good things will be plentiful in the future and bad things scarce—is correlated to entrepreneurial success and that dispositional optimism is a defining characteristic of entrepreneurs. It appears that dispositional optimism training may just be what the doctor ordered to improve the success rates of entrepreneurial ventures and to ensure the future of entrepreneurship.

Applying platform design to improve the integration of patient services across the continuum of care

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide the results of a case study that examined the application of platform design to improve the integration of patient care services across the continuum of care. This paper is designed to spark discussion and encourage further research in this area.Design/methodology/approach – The research in the paper involved a case study of a large health care provider in a major metropolitan area. The authors of this paper worked with directors of case management departments and other managerial personnel within the enterprise to study the case management interface services between different inpatient and outpatient facilities to examine existing processes, identify deficiencies, and to recommend improvements in case management.Findings – The paper finds that the current case management system of the provider, as structured, was not fulfilling its potential for achieving medical quality, operational cost, or patient satisfaction. A number of areas where improvements coul...

The adoption of electronic medical record technology in order to prevent medical errors: a matter for American public policy

This article argues that public policy should address the use of electronic medical records (EMRs) as a way to ensure patient safety in the United States. The article discusses the scope and nature of the medical error problem in the United States, causes of medical errors and the use of EMRs as a solution to the problem. Research has shown that EMRs can be an effective tool in reducing preventable medical error. It is therefore argued that the widespread diffusion of EMRs should be a matter of American public policy given the demonstrated socioeconomic benefits of the technology.

The Challenges of Innovation in American Companies: An Executive Ethnographic Investigation

Effective, sustained innovation remains one of the great challenges facing almost every company in America. But research shows that the average firm is failing at innovation most of the time. Using an ethnographic research approach, including field research and depth interviewing, the authors of the paper report what executives revealed as the principal reasons why their companies are struggling with innovation.

The Entrepreneurial Climate in Canada: The Entrepreneur's Viewpoint

Abstract This exploratory study examines the entrepreneurial climate in Canada from the perspective of the Canadian entrepreneur. The goal is to examine whether or not Canada offers a nutrient-rich environment for entrepreneurial development. Respondents believe that Canada has the infrastructure as well as the business support (suppliers and vendors) to assist entrepreneurial firms. They also suggest that Canadians are capable of seeing entrepreneurial opportunities and that there is substantial entrepreneurial talent in Canada, both men and women. However, entrepreneurs view the lack of cultural support and encouragement for entrepreneurship in Canada, the Canadian tax system, lack of capital, lack of entrepreneurial education, and a national aversion to failure as key impediments to entrepreneurial development in Canada. While some of hese barriers are amenable to changes in government policy and entrepreneurial education, the cultural impediments may be more intractable.

Ethics, Entrepreneurs and Corporate Managers: A Canadian Study

Abstract This study found that Canadian entrepreneurs and corporate managers differed little in terms of their ethical attitudes. This similarity could be explained by similar cultural, legal, and socio-demographic factors that affect the ethical attitudes of both groups. However, there were a few significant differences in ethical attitudes between the groups. Specifically, entrepreneurs were more likely to perceive certain practices as more unethical, including the use of company services for personal use; taking company time for personal use; exaggerating the performance of a companys product/service; and unfairly criticizing competitors’ products. The theory of property might explain these findings given the entrepreneur would want to preserve and sustain his/her property over time by not engaging in such practices. Overall, given the high ethical attitudes of the entrepreneurs in this study, it seems possible that the new entrepreneurial society will also have an elevated ethical tone.