Institutional resilience in healthcare systems (8 January 2001)

Summary

In a report published in 2000 by the UK's Chief Medical Officer, it was estimated that 400 people in the UK die or are seriously injured each year in adverse events involving medical devices, and that harm to patients arising from medical errors occurs in around 10% of admissions—or at a rate in excess of 850 000 per year. The cost to the NHS in additional hospital stays alone is estimated at around £2 billion a year.

This article examines system safety in healthcare and suggests a 20-item checklist for assessing institutional resilience (CAIR).