A system factors analysis of airway events from the Intensive Care Unit Safety Reporting System (ICUSRS).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the contributing and limiting factors for airway events reported in the Intensive Care Unit Safety Reporting System (ICUSRS) developed in partnership with the Society of Critical Care Medicine.


METHODS
Analysis of system factors in airway vs. nonairway events reported to a voluntary, anonymous, Web-based patient safety reporting system (the ICUSRS).


METHODS
Sixteen adult and two pediatric intensive care units (ICU) across the United States.


METHODS
Incidents reported during the 12-month period ending June 30, 2003.


METHODS
None


METHODS
Descriptive characteristics of incidents (defined as events that could have, or did, cause harm), patients, and patient harm; separate multivariable logistic regression analyses of contributing and limiting factors for airway vs. nonairway events.


RESULTS
There were 78 airway and 763 nonairway events reported. More than half of airway events were considered preventable. One patient death was attributed to an airway event. Physical injury, increased hospital length of stay, and family dissatisfaction occurred in at least 20% of airway events. Important factors contributing to reported airway events (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI)) included patients' medical condition (5.24, 3.07-8.95) and age <1 yr old (4.15, 1.79-9.59). Factors limiting the impact of airway events (OR, 95% CI) included adequate ICU staffing (3.60, 1.71-7.56) and use of skilled assistants (3.20, 1.62-6.32).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients are harmed by unintended and preventable incidents involving airway management. Prevention efforts should focus on critically ill infants and patients with complex medical conditions. Managers should ensure appropriate ICU staffing to limit the impact of airway events when they occur.
Needham
Dale M
DM
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, and Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Thompson
David A
DA
Holzmueller
Christine G
CG
Dorman
Todd
T
Lubomski
Lisa H
LH
Wu
Albert W
AW
Morlock
Laura L
LL
Pronovost
Peter J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D015897:Comorbidity; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004868:Equipment Failure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D012307:Risk Factors; D012308:Risk Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013597:Systems Analysis; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology