A recent report by the Connecticut Department of Public Health showed that falls resulting in serious disability or death were among the top four most frequently occurring medical errors from July 2004-May 2011.
The three other top medical errors are perforations during open, laparoscopic and/or
endoscopic procedures; stage 3-4 pressure ulcers acquired after admission to a healthcare
facility; and retention of foreign objects in patients after surgery.
During the reporting period, hospitals and outpatient surgical facilities reported 1,637 adverse events. Other key findings from the state report include the following points:
• Forty-five percent of reported adverse events occurred in males and 55 percent in females.
• The majority of reports concerned patients over the age of 65 years.
• Reported events occurred at all hours of the day and night, though less so between 1 p.m. and midnight.
• The most common location of occurrence was reported to be the adult medical ward.
• One hundred fifty-seven deaths were reported in connection with an adverse event.
The state report also includes healthcare providers' ongoing and future efforts to improve patient safety.
The three other top medical errors are perforations during open, laparoscopic and/or
endoscopic procedures; stage 3-4 pressure ulcers acquired after admission to a healthcare
facility; and retention of foreign objects in patients after surgery.
During the reporting period, hospitals and outpatient surgical facilities reported 1,637 adverse events. Other key findings from the state report include the following points:
• Forty-five percent of reported adverse events occurred in males and 55 percent in females.
• The majority of reports concerned patients over the age of 65 years.
• Reported events occurred at all hours of the day and night, though less so between 1 p.m. and midnight.
• The most common location of occurrence was reported to be the adult medical ward.
• One hundred fifty-seven deaths were reported in connection with an adverse event.
The state report also includes healthcare providers' ongoing and future efforts to improve patient safety.
Related Articles on Adverse Events:
Study Reveals Possible Risk Factors For Development of Pressure Ulcers
New AHRQ Toolkit Supports Hospital Efforts To Improve Quality and Safety
AHRQ Outlines Areas of Weakness, Strength on Hospital Patient Safety Culture