Using risk management files to identify and address causative factors associated with adverse events in pediatrics

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Authors: Paul D Hain, James W Pichert, Gerald B Hickson, Sandra H Bledsoe, David Hamming, et al

Published Date October 2007 Volume 2007:3(4) Pages 625 - 631

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S

Paul D Hain¹, James W Pichert², Gerald B Hickson², Sandra H Bledsoe³, David Hamming⁴, Jacob Hathaway⁴, Carolyn Nguyen⁴

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; ¹Department of Pediatrics; ²Department of Medical Education and Administration, ³Office of Risk and Insurance Management; ⁴Vanderbilt Medical School, Nashville, TN, USA

Abstract: We report a retrospective analysis of 84 consecutive pediatrics-related internal review files opened by a medical center’s risk managers between 1996 and 2001. The aims were to identify common causative factors associated with adverse events/adverse outcomes (AEs) in a Pediatrics Department, then suggest ways to improve care. The main outcome was identification of any patterns of factors that contributed to AEs so that interventions could be designed to address them. Cases were noted to have at least one apparent contributing problem; the most common were with communication (44% of cases), diagnosis and treatment (37%), medication errors (20%), and IV/Central line issues (17%). 45% of files involved a child with an underlying diagnosis putting her/him at high risk for an adverse outcome. All Pediatrics Departments face multiple challenges in assuring consistent quality care. The extent to which the data generalize to other institutions is unknown. However, the data suggest that systematic analysis of aggregated claims files may help identify and drive opportunities for improvement in care.

Keywords: adverse event, medical error, patient safety, pediatrics, risk management, quality improvement