[The culture of "useful error" in health care establishments: impact of morbidity and mortality conferences (MMCs)].

Since the publication of the Institute of Medicine's report, "To Err is Human", in 1999, patient safety has become an economic and political objective. The notion of safety involves willingness and initiation of measures to reduce or eliminate errors leading to preventable adverse events. Morbidity and mortality conferences are useful tool to improve local care management through the discussion of adverse events and medical errors and the conception of alternative approaches. In addition, MMCs have an educational value for the entire medical and nursing staff. The involvement of the head of the department is crucial to achieve a cultural change within the caregivers by developing the concept of "useful error" during MMCs.