Abstract
Objective
To analyze the incidence and avoidability of adverse events in adult patients hospitalized in an emergency care unit in the countryside of Minas Gerais.
Methods
A cohort study, with a retrospective review of 296 medical records using screening (phase 1) and evaluation (phase 2) forms, completed by non-medical professionals and physicians, respectively. In the first phase, the demographic data, clinical condition of the patients, potential adverse events, and the verification of the quality of the information recorded in the medical records were evaluated. In the second phase, previously tracked adverse events were identified and characterized.
Results
There was a predominance of men, white, aged 60 or older. The cumulative incidence of adverse events was 4.4% (n=13), all of which were considered preventable, and mostly characterized as mild in severity. According to nature, 81.2% of adverse events were related to care in general. In relation to intrinsic and extrinsic factors, an average of 1.17 and 1.5 per patient, respectively, was found. It was found that a total of 17 patients were identified with potential adverse events, with 22 incidents in the analysis.
Conclusion
It was identified that 100% of adverse events were preventable and most related to general care. These findings reinforce the need to assess and understand the incidence and preventability of adverse events in emergency care units, which allows for the planning and implementation of strategies aimed at the development of control and response actions to these events, ensuring safe and quality care.
Patient safety; Medical errors; Incidence; Emergency medical services