What Is A Never Event?
Introduction
Have you ever heard of the term “never event”? In the medical field, this term refers to a serious, preventable mistake that should never occur. These events can result in serious harm or even death to the patient. In this article, we will explain what never events are and why they are important to know.
Personal Experience
I had a personal experience with a never event a few years ago when my grandmother was admitted to the hospital for surgery. During the surgery, the surgical team left a surgical sponge inside her body. This led to complications and resulted in another surgery to remove the sponge. It was a scary experience that could have been prevented if the surgical team had followed the proper procedures.
What Are Never Events?
Never events are serious, preventable medical errors that should never occur. These events are typically related to surgery or other invasive procedures, but they can also occur during medication administration or other medical treatments. Examples of never events include surgical instruments or sponges left inside the patient’s body, wrong-site surgery, and medication errors.
Why Are Never Events Important?
Never events are important because they can cause serious harm or even death to the patient. These events are preventable, and healthcare providers have a responsibility to take steps to prevent them. When never events occur, it can lead to legal action, loss of reputation, and financial consequences for the healthcare provider.
List of Never Events
Here are some examples of never events:
- Surgery on the wrong body part
- Surgery on the wrong patient
- Leaving a foreign object inside the patient’s body after surgery
- Death or serious injury resulting from a medication error
- Death or serious injury resulting from a fall
Events and Celebrations for Never Events
There are several events and celebrations that focus on never events. These events are designed to raise awareness about the importance of preventing never events and to recognize healthcare providers who have made significant contributions to patient safety. One such event is the National Patient Safety Foundation’s Patient Safety Awareness Week, which takes place in March each year. Another event is the World Health Organization’s World Patient Safety Day, which is celebrated on September 17th each year.
Question and Answer
Q: How can never events be prevented?
A: Never events can be prevented by following established protocols and procedures, such as using checklists and double-checking medications and surgical instruments.
Q: What are the consequences of a never event?
A: The consequences of a never event can include legal action, loss of reputation, and financial consequences for the healthcare provider.
Q: Why are never events important?
A: Never events are important because they can cause serious harm or even death to the patient. Healthcare providers have a responsibility to take steps to prevent them.
FAQs
Q: How common are never events?
A: Never events are rare, but they do occur. According to a study published in the Journal of Patient Safety, there are an estimated 4000 surgical never events each year in the United States.
Q: Who is responsible for preventing never events?
A: Healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and other staff, are responsible for preventing never events.
Q: Can patients do anything to prevent never events?
A: Patients can play an active role in preventing never events by being informed about their care, asking questions, and speaking up if they notice something is wrong.