The Irish National Adverse Events Study (INAES): the frequency and nature of adverse events in Irish hospitals—a retrospective record review study (9 February 2016)

Summary

Preventable adverse events are an ongoing challenge in healthcare. International studies demonstrate that 3%–17% of admissions are associated with an adverse event (defined as an injury caused by healthcare management resulting in prolonged hospitalisation, disability on discharge or death). Approximately half of the adverse events are preventable.

Little is known about adverse events in the Irish healthcare system.Therefore, recommendations on improving patient safety at a national level are being made on limited information.

The aim of the Irish National Adverse Events Study (INAES) from Rafter et al. was to quantify the frequency and nature of adverse events in acute hospitals in the Republic of Ireland for the first time using an internationally recognised retrospective patient chart review methodology.