Failure to rescue as the conceptual basis for nursing clinical peer review

Abstract

It is incumbent for health care professionals to identify and reduce risk of harm. Left unchecked, minor risk may progress to increased care needs and subsequent morbidity. Recognizing nursing's front-line impact, a nursing clinical peer review committee was developed in an acute care hospital to analyze retrospectively select patient cases for opportunities to reduce risk in future similar situations. Risk-adjusted mortality and code blue calls decreased.