Risk management in intensive therapy units - the method of determination of black spots.
BACKGROUND
Patients hospitalised in intensive care  units are more likely to suffer an adverse event than those treated in  other hospital wards. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness  of identifying the events (the so-called 'black spots') that constitute  a significant threat to life and health of patients and/or financing of  the hospital.


METHODS
We retrospectively analysed  30 medical records and other documents relating to the stay of patients  hospitalised in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at  the Regional Hospital in Swidnica in 2010. To determine the 'black  spots', the authors used their own methods.


RESULTS
We identified 31 adverse events (12 types of events) that occurred  during the provision of healthcare in the intensive care unit. Six black  spots were determined based on the model adopted in the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Identifying black spots can help to substantially reduce morbidity and  mortality in hospitalised patients. It also allows optimisation of  therapeutic entities, particularly in intensive care units.
Department of Statistics, Barlicki Teaching Hospital no. 1 in Łódz, Poland .
Aleksandra
A
Sierocka
Michał
M
Marczak
Mariusz
M
Piechota
D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012308:Risk Management