Hospitals should be encouraged to improve the recording of medical errors on their systems, say researchers at Dr Foster, an independent organization that analyses the availability and quality of healthcare in the United Kingdom and worldwide, in this week's British Medical Journal.
About 850,000 medical errors occur in NHS hospitals every year, resulting in 40,000 deaths.
Researchers looked at four years of English hospital statistics to examine patterns in the recording of adverse events and ask whether this routinely collected source of data could be of use in monitoring this problem.
They found, on average, 2.2 percent of all episodes (about 27,500 per year) included a code for an adverse event. Misadventures were mentioned in 0.03 percent of episodes (nearly 4,000 per year). Events were more likely to occur in men, in elderly people, and in emergency admissions.
Although adverse events using routine data may be under-recorded, this analysis has shown that adverse events are recorded within hospital episode statistics, say the authors. For these statistics to accurately monitor adverse events, hospitals should be encouraged to improve the recording of events on their systems, they conclude.
To view the full paper:
http://press.psprings.co.uk/bmj/august/fost369.pdf
Source: British Medical Journal
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.