title: Safer surgery: update on current patient safety initiatives.
abstract: Surgery is an essential component of healthcare worldwide. However in industrialised countries, major complications occur in 3-16% of all inpatient surgical procedures, with permanent disability or death rates affecting approximately 0.4-0.8% of patients (Haynes et al 2009).
authors.affiliation: National Patient Safety Agency, 4-8 Maple Street, London, W1T 5HD.
authors.forename: Fran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Watts
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010361:Patients; D017751:Safety Management; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards*