title: Prospective collection of error data in orthopaedic and trauma surgery procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The frequency, type and consequences of errors in orthopaedic and trauma surgery procedures should be analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a level II trauma centre, errors and intraoperative complications were prospectively recorded concerning type, severity, preventability and consequences. The error-related time delay was also noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2012, 984 operative cases could be evaluated over six months: 744 elective and 240 emergency procedures. A total 107 errors (10.8%) in 72 procedures were recorded. There were 78 nonmedical/organisational, nine medical and 20 combined errors. Clinical consequences were seen in 1% of errors. The error rate was higher in emergency procedures. Time delays were involved in two thirds of the errors (on average 8.5 minutes).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Typical patient- and procedure-related errors can be detected by consequent documentation and analysis. It may help to develop sufficient strategies of error prevention. Because of the often-seen time delay, error prevention may help save time and costs.
authors.affiliation: Surgery II: Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, Verbundkranhenhause Bernkastel-Wittlich, Wittlich, Germany, reiner.wirbel@web.de.
authors.forename: Reiner
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wirbel
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yacoub
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dehne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery*