Critical AnalysisParadigm ShiftAccording to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), which has been at the forefront in undertaking research studies, relating to the prevalence of medical errors; The high number of medical errors is largely attributable to systemic defects (BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2011). The Hastings center also shares the same sentiments when it states that “Many errors can be traced to defects in complex health care delivery systems, not to defects in individual performance” (The Hastings center 2011, 5). These revelations come in a context where healthcare workers are increasingly to blame for their apparent negligence towards safe healthcare practices. The IOM provides an example of poor communication between healthcare professionals as a major problem associated with systemic defects that subsequently lead to medical errors. For this reason, the institute argues that focusing less on individuals and more on systems could reduce the prevalence of medical errors. This is a method through which people can restore confidence in the healthcare system and is also a platform through which subsequent reforms can be implemented. One of these reforms concerns the importance of accountability in the management of medical errors. The accountability element concerns the restructuring of responsibility for medical errors and shifts blame from individuals to rules, procedures and policies (The Hastings Center 2011). This therefore means that justice will be served for injured people and that the statistics obtained from the trial can also be used to further improve the system (to prevent future errors). The very essence of changing or strengthening accountability standards is aimed at replacing existing healthcare rules, procedures and policies...... middle of paper ...... to eliminate system-based errors healthcare through centralized records and other streamlining methods to improve processes. In doing so, it seems likely that our patients will gain confidence in us and our ability to help them navigate a complex and confusing system" (Science Daily 2007, 17) Conclusion Designing an efficient and safe healthcare system will change the paradigm through which medical errors occur. It is also ethically correct to adopt this system because it is the right way in which medical errors should be addressed. In other words, this study establishes that the defects of the system are the main cause of medical errors and therefore it is unfair To place all the blame on healthcare workers. These factors abound, this study proposes a shift in the contextual analysis of medical errors from the individual to the systems involved.