Learning From Adverse Events Focus of Report
Learning from things which go wrong in health care is a focus of this year’s adverse events report.
Each year, health care adverse events are reported to the Health Quality & Safety Commission by district health boards (DHBs) and other health care providers. The Commission works with these
providers to encourage an open culture of reporting, to learn from what went wrong and put in place systems to stop
incidents recurring.
In 2014–15:
• 525 adverse events were reported to the Commission by DHBs (454 in 2013–14) and 67 by other providers
• serious harm from falls was the most frequently reported event, with 277 cases. Of these, 84 resulted in the patient
suffering a fractured neck of femur (broken hip)
• clinical management incidents were the next most reported events, with 205 cases, including those relating to delays
in treatment, assessment, diagnosis, observation and monitoring (including patient deterioration)
• incidents involving prescribing, dispensing or administration of medication were the next most frequently reported
events, with 23 cases.
‘Each one of these very sad incidents has affected a patient, their family and whānau, and the health professionals who
care for them,’ Commission Chair Professor Alan Merry says.
‘While it is too late to prevent these particular events, we owe it to those affected to take a thorough look at what
went wrong, so we can continue to improve systems and make care safer.’
He says the rise in the number of events reported reflects the culture change taking place in health care, with greater
emphasis on learning from systems failings.
‘DHBs, other health providers and the Commission are working together to help the sector better understand events
leading to avoidable harm.’
Prof Merry says the 2014–15 report includes a special focus on learning from cases where there has been a delay in
recognition or a lack of recognition of a patient’s deteriorating condition.
‘Deterioration can happen at any time in a patient’s illness, but patients are especially vulnerable after surgery and
when they are recovering from a very serious illness. Recognising and responding to this deterioration quickly is
important to avoid cardiac arrest or admission to an intensive care unit.’
Clinical lead for the Commission’s adverse events learning programme, Dr Iwona Stolarek, says the involvement of
patients and families/whānau when adverse events are being reviewed is integral.
‘Every affected patient engaged in a review is helping us improve our work to prevent future adverse events,’ she says.
‘The generosity of patients, families and whānau affected by the incidents reported is vital. I would like to thank them
for the help they have provided.’
In 2015 the Commission has worked with DHBs and other health service providers to increase expertise in learning from
adverse events, including providing training in the review of events.
Health professionals have also been able to share knowledge of adverse events through Open Book learning reports.
For a copy of the full report and questions and answers visit www.hqsc.govt.nz. See individual DHB websites for a breakdown of their figures.
ENDS