Adverse events in a third level pediatric hospital in Bogotá

Abstract

InColombia, patients’safetyisapriorityinhealthcare.Adverse events and incidents are an example of unsafe healthcare in institutions. An interdisciplinary commitment is fundamental in proactive work to promote safe practices, prevention, and detection of latent and active failures in hospital. Objective: To determine the frequency of Adverse Events by reviewing clinical histories in a third level pediatric hospital in Bogotá to foster safe practices. Methodology: a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative research was conducted focusing on hospitalized patients on May 16, 2013, working risk factors, hospital backgrounds, adverse events, and healthcare related complications. Results: There were 169 cases classified for a given event, of which 59 were Adverse Events, 57 were incidents and 53 were discarded as false positives. Discussion: Researchers evidenced the responsibility in infection prevention and control by healthcare professionals in charge of minimizing a vulnerable patient’s risk, and above all, they provided a suitable use and maintenance of invasive medical devices. Conclusions: 34.4% of the clinical histories show some type of adverse event or incident, revealing evidence that in some cases they were caused by hospital care.