[Adverse events in a Tunisian university hospital: incidence and risk factors]

To determine the incidence and risk factors of adverse events (AE) in a Tunisian university hospital.

We carried out a longitudinal observational study in 2016 over a period of 3 months in the Sahloul university hospital of Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected using a pretested form filled by doctors previously trained in the collection methodology, upon each visit to all hospitalized patients.

Overall, 1,357 patients were eligible. We identified 168 AEs in 131 patients with AEs incidence of 12.4% (95% CI: [7.41 – 17.38]), and patient incidence of 9.7% (95% CI: [4.63 – 14.76]). The incidence density of AEs was 1.8 events per 100 days of hospitalization. Hospital acquired infection and unplanned readmission related to previous healthcare management were the most common AEs (43.4 and 12.5% respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed as independent factors of AEs: surgery (P = 0.013; RR = 1.68; CI: [1.11-2.54]), the use of central-venous-catheter (P < 10–3; RR = 4.1 ; CI: [2.1-8]), tracheotomy (P = 0.001; RR = 21.8; CI: [3.7-127.8]), transfusion (P = 0.014; RR = 2.1; CI: [1.16-3.87]) and drug intake (P = 0.04; RR = 2.2; CI: [1.04-4.7]).

The present study showed a high incidence of AEs and the involvement of invasive devices in their occurrence. Thus, targeted interventions are needed.