Experience in adverse events detection in an emergency department: Incidence and outcome of events

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The study was performed to determine the incidence, outcome and preventability of adverse events (AE) in an ED. METHODS: The Quality in Australian Health Care Study methodology, modified to the ED, was utilized. Case histories of patients presenting to a tertiary hospital ED were screened for events. Events detected were classified, using a 104-item data collection instrument, entered on Excel and analysed statistically using MINITAB. RESULTS: A total of 5345 patients presented during the study period. Three thousand three hundred and thirty-two patients completed full evaluation and comprised the study population. One hundred and ninety-four events were detected. Except where sp..