title: [IBEAS design: adverse events prevalence in Latin American hospitals].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the methodological characteristics of the IBEAS study: adverse events prevalence in Latin American hospitals, with the aim of analysing the magnitude, significance and impact of adverse events (AE); to identify the main problems associated with patient safety AE; to increase the capacity of professionals involved in patient safety; and the setting up of patient safety agendas in the participating countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A patient safety study launched in 35 Latin American hospitals through the analysis of AE in 5 countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru, using a cross-sectional study using a review of clinical records as the main method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The implications of using a cross-sectional design when studying AE are described, in terms of resources required, internal validity and usefulness related to risk management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cross-sectional design seems an efficient methodology in terms of time and resources spent, as well as being easy to carry out. Although the cross-sectional design does not review the all hospital episodes, it is able to provide a reliable estimate of prevalence and to support a surveillance system. Because of a possible survival bias, it is likely that the AE which led to hospital admissions will be overestimated, as well as the health related infections or those adverse events which are difficult to identify if the patient is not examined (e.g. contusions). Communication with the ward staff (if the patient is still hospitalised) help in finding the causality and their prevention.
authors: Servicio de Medicina Preventiva y Calidad Asistencial, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan d'Alacant, Departamento de Salud Pública, Historia de la Ciencia y Ginecología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Alicante, España. aranaz jes@gva.es
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Aranaz-Andrés
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Aibar-Remón
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Limón-Ramírez
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Amarilla
authors: F R
authors: FR
authors: Restrepo
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Urroz
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Sarabia
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Inga
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Santivañez
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Gonseth-García
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Larizgoitia-Jauregui
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Agra-Varela
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Terol-García
mesh_terms: D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / Q000458:organization & administration; D015982:Bias; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006753:Hospital Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D058996:Quality Improvement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012308:Risk Management / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D012494:Sampling Studies