AHRQ: Critical care patients at higher risk for adverse events

Patient Safety Monitor Alert

• Email|
• Print|
• Subscribe|
• View Archives

August 12, 2005

Over one-fifth of patients admitted to a number of acute care units were involved in an adverse event, according to a new AHRQ study. The study's findings will be published in the August Critical Care Medicine.

According to a press release, often patients in acute care are the sickest in the hospital, so errors in their care are more likely to lead to an adverse event. Of the events recorded in the study, 45% were preventable.

Researchers combined direct observation, confidential reporting, computerized reporting and chart reviews in making its findings.

To read the press release, click here.