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Retrospective Analysis: 7% of outpatients in Massachusetts experience adverse events, predominantly drug-related – Ann Intern Med

25 May, 2024 | 19:37h | UTC

This retrospective study reviewed electronic health records from 11 outpatient sites in Massachusetts during 2018 to assess the incidence and nature of adverse events (AEs) in 3,103 patients. AEs were identified in 7.0% of the patients, translating to 8.6 events per 100 patients annually. Adverse drug events were the most frequent type of AE, constituting 63.8% of events, followed by healthcare-associated infections (14.8%) and surgical or procedural events (14.2%). The severity of these events was notable, with 17.4% being serious and 2.1% life-threatening, though none were fatal. Notably, 23.2% of these events were deemed preventable. The risk of experiencing at least one AE varied significantly by age and race, with higher rates observed among older adults and Black patients compared to other demographics. The study highlights the pressing need for targeted interventions to reduce AEs in outpatient settings.

 

Reference (link to abstract – $ for full-text):

David M. Levine et al. (2023). The Safety of Outpatient Health Care: Review of Electronic Health Records. Annals of Internal Medicine, [insert volume and issue], [insert pages]. DOI: 10.7326/M23-2063

 


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