Adverse events reporting in English hospital statistics: Data relevant to patient safety should not be presented alone and out of context

BMJ 2004; 329 doi: 10.1136/bmj.329.7470.857 (Published 7 October 2004)
Cite this as: BMJ 2004;329:857.1

Access to the full text of this article requires a subscription or payment. Please log in or subscribe below.

  1. Richard Thomson, director of epidemiology and research (Richard.thomson@npsa.nhs.uk)
  1. National Patient Safety Agency, London W1T 5HD

    EDITOR—The publication of Dr Foster's case notes has generated considerable interest,1 but accurately quantifying patient safety incidents is difficult. Methods of intensive case note review provide estimates of adverse events in acute hospitals that range from 2.9% to 16.6%, but definitions, methods, and health systems vary.2 3

    The National …

    Access to the full text of this article requires a subscription or payment

    Article access

    Article access for 1 day

    Purchase this article for £20 $30 €32*

    The PDF version can be downloaded as your personal record

    * Prices do not include VAT

    THIS WEEK'S POLL