What Ibero-American hospitals do when things go wrong? A cross-sectional international study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety
• International Health

Background:

• Adverse events (AEs) pose significant risks to patient well-being in healthcare settings.
• Effective management of AEs is crucial for maintaining high standards of patient care and safety.
• Understanding current practices in Ibero-American hospitals is essential for identifying gaps and improving AE response strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current strategies employed by hospital managers and safety leaders in Ibero-American countries for managing serious adverse events (AEs).
• To identify the extent of implementation of specific actions related to safety culture, crisis planning, communication, and support for second victims.
• To pinpoint areas for improvement and future research in AE management within the Ibero-American region.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional international study was conducted across eight Ibero-American countries.
• A convenience sample of 190 hospital managers and safety leaders participated.
• The study surveyed the implementation of 37 actions for AE management, focusing on safety culture, crisis plans, communication, and support for second victims.

Main Results:

• Reporting systems, incident analysis, and non-punitive approaches were the most frequently implemented interventions.
• Patient communication and support for second victims following an AE were the least common interventions.
• A significant majority of hospitals surveyed lacked protocolized responses for managing AEs.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need for strategic action plans to address the challenge of AE management in Ibero-American hospitals.
• Key areas for improvement include patient communication, transparency, and dedicated support for healthcare professionals affected by AEs (second victims).
• This study provides a foundational understanding of AE management practices and highlights critical areas for future research in the region.