Real-time registration of adverse events in Dutch hospitalized children in general pediatric units: first experiences.
The objectives of this study are to describe the number and nature of adverse events occurring in general pediatric practice, to describe factors contributing to the occurrence of these adverse events, and to report on the experience of pediatricians with reporting adverse events. It is a prospective study on 11 pediatric units in a 3-month period; adverse events were registered for all newly admitted patients. Ninety-four adverse events were registered in 88 of 5,669 patients, amounting to a 1.6 per 100 admissions rate and a 0.4 per 100 patient days rate. Ninety percent of the adverse events did not cause serious harm. Failed diagnostic procedures were most common.


CONCLUSIONS
Adverse event registration in general pediatric practice is a first step in assessing quality and safety of care. It yields a considerable number of adverse events. Compliance to adverse event registration in daily practice is difficult but also key to optimal monitoring of quality of care.
Intensive Care, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. c.vanderstarre@erasmusmc.nl
Cynthia
C
van der Starre
Monique
M
van Dijk
Dick
D
Tibboel
D002648:Child; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009426:Netherlands; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D061214:Patient Safety / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012042:Registries