Comparison of three methods for estimating rates of adverse events and rates of preventable adverse events in acute care hospitals.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To compare the effectiveness, reliability, and acceptability of estimating rates of adverse events and rates of preventable adverse events using three methods: cross sectional (data gathered in one day), prospective (data gathered during hospital stay), and retrospective (review of medical records).

Design

Independent assessment of three methods applied to one sample.

Setting

37 wards in seven hospitals (three public, four private) in southwestern France.

Participants

778 patients: medical (n = 278), surgical (n = 263), and obstetric (n = 237).

Main outcome measures

The main outcome measures were the proportion of cases (patients with at least one adverse event) identified by each method compared with a reference list of cases confirmed by war

SUBMITTER: Michel P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC318484 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature