Patient reports of undesirable events during hospitalization

J Gen Intern Med. 2005 Oct;20(10):922-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0225.x.

Abstract

Background: Thus far, incident reporting in health care has relied on health professionals. However, patients too may be able to signal the occurrence of undesirable events.

Objective: To estimate the frequency of undesirable events reported by recently discharged patients, and to identify correlates of undesirable events.

Design: Mailed patient survey.

Setting: Swiss public teaching hospital.

Participants: Adult patients (N=1,518) discharged from hospital.

Measurements: Self-reports of 27 undesirable events during hospitalization, including 9 medical complications, 9 interpersonal problems, and 9 incidents related to the health care process.

Results: Most survey respondents (1,433, 94.4%) completed the section about undesirable events, and 725 (50.6%) reported at least 1 event. The most frequent events were phlebitis (11.0%), unavailable medical record (9.5%), failure to respect confidentiality (8.4%), and hospital-acquired infection (8.2%). The odds of an unfavorable rating increased with each additional interpersonal problem (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3 to 1.8), each additional process-related problem (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.9), but not with each additional medical complication (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.9 to 1.2). Longer duration of stay, poor health, and depressed mood were all related to a greater reported frequency of undesirable events.

Conclusion: Patients are able to report undesirable events that occur during hospital care. Such events occur in about a half of the hospitalizations, and have a negative impact on satisfaction with care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Health Care Surveys
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Inpatients* / psychology
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care
  • Risk Management