Safety of inpatient care in surgical settings: cohort study (13 November 2024)

Summary

This study estimated the frequency, severity, and preventability of adverse events associated with perioperative care, and describes the setting and professions concerned.

It found that adverse events were identified in more than one third of patients admitted to hospital for surgery, with nearly half of the events classified as major and most potentially preventable. These findings emphasise the critical need for ongoing improvement in patient safety, involving all health professionals, throughout perioperative care.