Patients face a significant risk for preventable adverse events and serious medical errors in hospital critical care units, according to a study sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The study, The Critical Care Safety Study: The Incidence and Nature of Adverse Events and Serious Medical Errors in Intensive Care, was published in the August issue of Critical Care Medicine.
Researchers found that more than 20 percent of the patients admitted to two intensive care units at an academic hospital, a medical intensive care unit (MICU) and a coronary critical care unit (CCU), experienced an adverse event. Because these patients are among the sickest, they may be more vulnerable to errors in care, and therefore more susceptible to injury. Of the adverse events in the sample, almost half (45 percent) of them were preventable. A significant number of the adverse events involved medicationsmost commonly, giving patients the wrong dose. Over 90 percent of all incidents occurred during routine care, not on admission or during an emergency intervention.
Even though this is a small study, it demonstrates the potential for harm in our critical care units in a dramatic way, said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, MD. These findings are another call to action in our efforts to reduce medical errors and improve patient safety.
The researchers conducted direct continuous observations in the MICU and CCU during nine three-week periods, distributed throughout 12 months from July 2002 through June 2003. This was supplemented by confidential incident reporting, a computerized adverse drug event detection monitor and chart reviews.
According to lead study author Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH, critical care units provide an increasingly greater proportion of care. During our lifetimes, we can expect to be admitted to an ICU at least once. We hope these findings will stimulate the adoption of known interventions, like ensuring hand washing, better physician/nurse communications, and greater use of health IT, he said.
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Dear Helpdesk: Working in a Toxic Health Care Environment
March 28th 2024Dear Helpdesk is your steadfast companion, offering life coaching and workplace advice from 2 seasoned IPs for some of your most challenging real-life situations. Let us help you navigate the intersection between work and life, guiding you to navigate the dynamic world of infection prevention with confidence and grace. This article is on handling a toxic health care environment.
Product Locator: Spring and Early Mother's Day Gift Guide for Infection Prevention Personnel
March 27th 2024Whether it's a spring holiday, birthdays, or no reason at all, infection prevention personnel love to give and receive gifts that help at the end of a stressful day. Infection Control Today® offers some gift ideas for infection prevention personnel and their families.
Catching Up With Vangie Dennis, AORN 2022-2023 President at AORN 2024
March 26th 2024Infection Control Today (ICT) had the privilege of catching up with Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses' (AORN’s) International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024. As the former president of AORN and an esteemed figure in perioperative services, Vangie Dennis shared insights into her recent endeavors and the exciting new chapter she's embarked upon.
How To Optimize Your Time Management Strategies for the Busy Infection Preventionist
March 25th 2024Is your calendar resembling a chaotic masterpiece of overlapping tasks? Join the club of infection preventionists striving to balance responsibilities. Dive into proven strategies from a fellow infection preventionist to reclaim control of your time, streamline tasks, and boost productivity effectively. This is an IP Lifeline article.