Exploring changes in patient safety incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Canadian regional hospital system: a retrospective time series analysis.
Lombardi J, Strobel S, Pullar V, et al. Exploring changes in patient safety incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Canadian regional hospital system: a retrospective time series analysis. J Patient Saf. 2022;18(6):e1014-e1020. doi:10.1097/pts.0000000000000991.
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed healthcare delivery and has raised new patient safety concerns. This retrospective study investigated the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 on patient safety incidents at one health system in Ontario, Canada. Researchers identified significant changes in the composition of events – such as increase in falls – which may reflect changes in care processes (e.g., reduced patient surveillance, use of personal protective equipment) occurring during that time.