Medical error and three concealed victims: The patient, healthcare caregivers, and the credibility of the healthcare system

Medical errors, including execution and planning failures, remain a critical concern in global healthcare. They are the third leading cause of death in some countries and impose severe consequences not only on patients (first victims) but also on healthcare providers (second victims) and institutions (third victims). Affected professionals often experience emotional distress, while organizations face legal, financial, and reputational damage. Despite limited research on the third victim phenomenon, evidence highlights significant economic impacts, including billions in annual costs. Addressing medical errors requires systemic strategies: fostering a culture of safety, continuous staff education, standardized protocols, improved team communication, and meaningful patient engagement. Non-punitive error reporting and integration of evidence-based technologies and decision-support systems are also crucial. Ultimately, medical errors are not intrinsic to healthcare but reflect systemic weaknesses. Continuous quality improvement, guided by international experience and localized solutions, is essential to reduce errors, support staff well-being, and restore public trust.