1. National data- According to the most recent published National Sentinel Events report, procedures in volving wrong patient or body part is the highest category of reported sentinel event in Australia, followed by retained instruments or other material after surgery and suicide of patient in an inpatient unit (AIWH, 2007:12) (1).
2. Queensland Health data- During 2006/07, there were 31 cases of procedures involving the wrong patient or body part reported to the Queensland Health Patient Safety Centre (NEW: See Safety Fact Sheet ). During this same period, a total of 809, 713 patients were admitted to Queensland public acute hospitals (2). Although relatively rare events, the consequences of procedures involving wrong patient or body part can be devastating for patients and clincians involved. These events are entirely preventable.
3. Preventative Action- The Australian Health Ministers have endorsed an Australian wide implementation of the correct patient, correct site and correct procedure protocol. Subsequently, on 17th March 2005, the Queensland Health Safety and Quality Board approved the Queensland Health Ensuring Intended Surgery (EIS) Policy. The Queensland Health Ensuring Intended Surgery Policy has been developed using statements from the Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care (now Commission), The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Implementation Guidelines and the Department of Veterans Affairs National Centre for Patient Safety (USA).
1. Australian
2. This figure is still preliminary and subject to change as some data is still outstanding.
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