Trends of diagnostic adverse events in hospital deaths: longitudinal analyses of four retrospective record review studies.

Longitudinal trends in adverse events (AEs) can provide insights into incidence, preventability, and causes not easily found in cross-sectional studies. Data from four studies that included 19-20 hospitals were analyzed to estimate the occurrence of diagnostic adverse events (DAEs) from 2008 to 2019. DAEs decreased from 2008 to 2012, at which point they stabilized. Rates were similar for other AEs, although DAEs were considered more preventable and were associated with more preventable deaths.