The AHRQ PSNet Collection comprises an extensive selection of resources relevant to the patient safety community. These resources come in a variety of formats, including literature, research, tools, and Web sites. Resources are identified using the National Library of Medicine’s Medline database, various news and content aggregators, and the expertise of the AHRQ PSNet editorial and technical teams.
The use of anesthesia in ambulatory settings presents both advantage and risk to patients and clinicians. This article discusses evidence defining these issues. It suggests that improved collaboration with anesthesiologists represents opportunities for nonoperating room anesthesia safety.
In this retrospective review of root cause analysis (RCA) reports of select gastrointestinal procedures, researchers identified 27 adverse events 30-month period. Nearly half (48%) of events caused major or catastrophic harm. The most frequently reported adverse events were attributable to human factors (22%), medication errors (22%) or retained items; retained items were associated with the most harm.
Murray P. Washington, DC; Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; 2016.
Insufficient sterilization of duodenoscopes and other medical equipment has been linked to health care–associated infection outbreaks. This report summarizes findings from a government investigation into existing methods for monitoring and reporting device problems and provides recommendations for Congress, hospitals, and the Food and Drug Administration to augment identification and prevention of safety issues associated with medical devices.
Rutter CM, Johnson E, Miglioretti DL, et al. Cancer Causes & Control. 2011;23.
This study of more than 45,000 colonoscopies found that 4.7 serious adverse events occurred per 1000 screening colonoscopies. Advanced age and the need for polyp removal were associated with increased risk of adverse events.
This commentary applied Joint Commission patient safety standards to the endoscopy care setting and suggests that audits can improve staff engagement in safety work.
Leffler DA, Kheraj R, Garud S, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170:1752-7.
An automated surveillance system within an existing electronic medical record detected many more post-procedural adverse events than standard voluntary reporting.