profession

Washington state posts adverse events online

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 16, 2010

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A new online database lists serious adverse events, such as wrong-site surgery, that have taken place in Washington state's hospitals. The medical mistakes, known as "never events," that hospitals are required to report publicly are drawn from the National Quality Forum's list of 28 serious reportable events.

The events are reported quarterly, with the 74 total events reported in the first three months of 2010 marking a high since the disclosure mandate began in 2006. The aggregate reports are broken down by type of never event, such as pressure ulcers and falls resulting in death or disability.

Website visitors also can find out how many adverse events were reported by each hospital. The database is available at the Washington State Dept. of Health's website (link).

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/08/16/prbf0816.htm.

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