Second-Victim Phenomenon.

All in health care are at risk of involvement in adverse events. Oftentimes, the health care worker manifests physical, psychological, and professional effects and this is referred to as the second-victim phenomenon. Unmitigated recovery of a second victim can contribute to absenteeism, turnover intentions, burnout, and loss of joy and meaning in work. The preferred method of support among health care workers is a respected peer to provide emotional support. Health care organizations can contribute to a second victim's recovery by providing a culture of safety and diverse resources based on the needs of the individual.

Second Victim Support at the Core of Severe Adverse Event Investigation.

There is limited evidence and a lack of standard operating procedures to address the impact of serious adverse events (SAE) on healthcare workers. We aimed to share two years' experience of a second victim support intervention integrated into the SAE management program conducted in a 500-bed University Hospital in Granada, Spain. The intervention strategy, based on the "forYOU" model, was structured into three levels of support according to the degree of affliction and the emotional needs of the professionals. A semi-structured survey of all workers involved in an SAE was used to identify potential second victims. Between 2020 and 2021, the SAE operating procedure was activated 23 times. All healthcare workers involved in an SAE (n = 135) received second-level support. The majority were physicians (51.2%), followed by nurses (26.7%). Only 58 (43.0%) received first-level emotional support and 47 (34.8%) met "second victim" criteria. Seven workers (14.9%) required third-level support. A progressive increase in the notification rates was observed. Acceptance of the procedure by professionals and managers was high. This novel approach improved the number of workers reached by the trained staff; promoted the visibility of actions taken during SAE management and helped foster patient safety culture in our setting.

[SURGICAL "NEVER EVENTS" IN THE ANTERIOR CERVICAL APPROACH].

INTRODUCTION: This article deals with incidents which involved damages that could have been prevented. This includes patients who have been suffocated and have suffered irreversible damage, unfortunately, as far as we know, due to the powerlessness of the medical staff who did not act suitably. The disasters have happened as a result of upper respiratory airway obstruction by a blood clot (retropharyngeal hematoma) that developed as a complication after an anterior cervical surgery (spine/carotid artery) or after a sharp cervical injury. The main question that derives from the following cases is whether it was possible to prevent the unnecessary death and/or the severe ongoing disability of the patients by choosing a different form of medical treatment. We are dealing with common practical knowledge, while referring to the importance of the immediate concern about the airway of patients after an anterior cervical surgery both by the nursing and the treating medical staff and also, by the risk managers. Malpractice events are very important educational material for the medical and nursing staff in order to avoid such preventable cases. Right before our eyes, a real revolution is happening in terms of digital medicine. This revolution may change the current comprehension among physicians about medical decisions, diagnosis and treatment selection. All of the above is being done by the rare resource that we possess which is the human resource. However, the problem is that in many medical cases, for instance the ones mentioned in the article, the medical treatment method for the patient will not benefit from digital medicine, moreso, in those cases we depend on the human resource. The purpose of this work is mainly to make an intellectual-behavioral change among medical staff, nurses and physicians, in terms of complaints such as dysphagia or respiratory difficulties after anterior cervical surgery. Time has a crucial role in those emergency cases, therefore complete seriousness, caution and a rapid airway opening are demanded in the described circumstances.

Complications Associated with Low Position versus Good Position Umbilical Venous Catheters in Neonates of ≤32 Weeks' Gestation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the incidence of umbilical venous catheter associated infection (UVCAI) in very preterm infants based on UVC tip position. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective cohort study, infants born at ≤32 weeks were divided into groups with a UVC tip in either a low-lying or good position. The primary outcome was UVCAI. Survival analysis represented time to infection between groups. Subgroup analyses were based on duration of UVC indwelling time. RESULTS: Of 1,983 infants, 1,638 infants were eligible; 33% had low-lying UVC and 67% had good position UVC. Survival analyses suggested a significantly higher probability of infection was associated with low UVC (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-3.2; p = 0.001). The risk of infection was higher for UVC of >7 days duration (adjusted HR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1-4.2). Extravasation as a complication was significantly higher in the low UVC versus good position UVC (1.3 vs. 0.1%; odds ratio: 14.4, 95% CI: 1.8-119). CONCLUSION: Low-lying UVC was associated with higher risk of infection and extravasation. KEY POINTS: · Low-lying UVC are at higher risk of UVCAI.. · Presence of UVC in situ for > 7 days carries higher risk of UVCAI.. · There was a higher risk of UVC extravasation with low UVCs..

Second Victim Experience and Perception Discordance of the Colonoscopic Perforation.

BACKGROUND: Perforation is the most serious adverse event of colonoscopy, but rarely considered from the view of colonoscopists' second victim experience and perception discordance between colonoscopists and patients. AIMS: We aimed to evaluate colonoscopists' second victim experience and the perception discordance between colonoscopists and patients for the colonoscopic perforation. METHODS: A survey for colonoscopic perforation was performed for the colonoscopists and outpatients who visited the university hospital between February 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020. The questionnaire included questions regarding colonoscopists' satisfaction for the intervention strategies offered to patients and patient-colonoscopist perception on colonoscopic perforation. A modified Korean version of the "Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (K-SVEST)" was used to assess the second victim experiences and supportive resources for the colonoscopists. RESULTS: Survey results from 160 colonoscopists and 165 patients were analyzed. The colonoscopists' satisfaction scores were higher for strategies related to sufficient explanation, empathy, courteous listening, and monetary compensation. The scores of the K-SVEST for the second victim experience were highest in psychological distress, followed by loss of professional self-efficacy, colleague support, physical distress, non-work-related support, institutional support, and turnover intentions/absenteeism. Significant patient-colonoscopist discordance was noted for the same colonoscopic perforation scenario on the judgment of medical error, health professionals' apology, monetary compensation, and criminal penalties for the colonoscopists. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopists can suffer emotionally and physically from the second victim experience after colonoscopic perforation. In addition, the significant patient-colonoscopist discordance should be considered to make a better communication for the colonoscopic perforation.

Medical malpractice in aortic valve and mitral valve replacement surgery in North America.

BACKGROUND: Aortic and mitral valve replacement are commonly performed by cardiovascular surgeons, but little data quantitatively analyzes the etiology and prevalence of medical malpractice litigations involving these operations. This study aims to analyze incidence, cause, and resolution of medical malpractice lawsuits involving aortic and mitral valve replacements, alone and in combination with coronary artery bypass and/or aortic procedures. METHODS: The Westlaw legal database was utilized to compile relevant litigations across the United States from 1994-2019. Clinical data, verdict data, demographic data, and litigation attributes were compiled. Fisher's Exact Tests and Mann-Whitney tests were performed for statistical analyses. One hundred four malpractice litigations involving aortic valve replacement and 55 litigations involving mitral valve replacement were included in this analysis. The mean age of patients was 55.2 years and proportion of female patients was 32.7% in aortic valve replacements litigations, compared to a mean age of 54.1 years and female patients in 61.8% of mitral valve replacements litigations. RESULTS: Significant relationships exist between an alleged failure to monitor the patient and defendant verdicts (P=0.01), delayed treatment and defendant verdicts (P=0.04), and incidence of infective endocarditis and plaintiff verdicts (P=0.04) in aortic valve replacement litigations. Similarly, significant relationships exist between an alleged failure to diagnose and settlement verdicts (P=0.047), and stroke incidence and defendant verdicts (P=0.03) in mitral valve replacement litigations. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to excellent surgeon patient/family communication, administering surgical treatment in a timely manner, diagnosing acting on concomitant medical conditions, and close patient monitoring may diminish medical malpractice litigation involving aortic and mitral valve replacement operations.

Diagnosis by forensic autopsy of cannula malposition resulting in fatal tension pneumothorax after attempted percutaneous tracheostomy: A short communication.

Percutaneous tracheostomy is commonly performed in the emergency department or intensive care unit to secure the airways of patients. This procedure is associated with a low incidence of complications; however, some of them, such as iatrogenic pneumothorax, can be fatal. Pneumothorax after percutaneous tracheostomy is most often caused by perforation of the tracheal wall or malposition of the cannula. A woman in her 80s was referred to the emergency department owing to persistent and prolonged coughing. Having speculated that she had acute epiglottitis, and having failed to achieve oral tracheal intubation, the physician performed a percutaneous tracheostomy to secure her airway. However, progressive percutaneous emphysema developed immediately thereafter, and the patient died shortly. Postmortem computed tomography showed bilateral pneumothorax. Forensic autopsy revealed that the tracheostomy cannula had failed to reach the trachea and was erroneously inserted into the right thoracic cavity via peritracheal route. Thus, it was determined that the patient's death was attributable to tension pneumothorax caused by cannula malposition during attempted tracheostomy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first forensic autopsy case report on fatal tension pneumothorax caused by attempted percutaneous tracheostomy.

A rare cause of stroke: fail-implanted venous port catheter system - a case report.

BACKGROUND: We present the case of a 75-year-old female with acute embolic cerebral infarction caused by a fail-implanted venous port catheter system in the left subclavian artery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old woman presented to our emergency room after acute onset of a right-sided hemiparesis and dysarthria. Within 2 days after admission, she developed a left-sided hemiparesis, ataxia with concordant gait disturbance and incoordination of the left upper limb. DWI-MRI showed acute multiple infarcts in both cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres. Laboratory examination, 24-h Holter electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography provided no pathological findings. Further examination revealed an arterially fail-implanted port catheter, placed in the left subclavian artery with its tip overlying the ascending aorta, as the source of cerebral embolism. CONCLUSION: This is the first case report of thromboembolic, cerebral infarction due to a misplaced venous port catheter in the subclavian artery, emphasizing the imperative need for a thorough diagnostic workup, when embolism is suspected but cannot be proven at first glance.

Inadvertent stapling of the orogastric tube during bariatric surgery: Report of 3 cases and a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Entrapment of an orally introduced tube by stapling/stitching is an intra-operative complication of bariatric surgery with grave consequences. Incidence is unknown. No prevention/management strategy is available. A systematic review was performed to assess the absolute reported observed risk and incidence. Additionally, data on 3 cases during our entire sleeve gastrectomy (SG) experience is evaluated. METHODS: Literature is reviewed using PubMed/Web of science data-bases. Data was recorded prospectively. Videos of orally introduced tube staplings were re-watched, presentation/recognition/management were re-evaluated. A protocol ensuring the removal of the small caliber orogastric tube (OGT) by the surgeons direct inspection was introduced after the 3rd entrapment. RESULTS: Review revealed OGT as the most commonly entrapped tube following temperature probe and bougie. SG/stapling were the most common causative operation/reason, respectively. Leak rates over 20%, conversion, early-late re-operations and mortality were reported. During our 948 consecutive SGs, 3 OGT entrapments (0.32%), third one with double stapling, occurred. All were recognized/managed intraoperatively by freeing the entrapped-end of the OGT from the sleeve part of the staple-line. In doubly stapled case, second transected end could only be recognized when routine reinforcement suturing come in proximity. Defects were continuously stitched with barbed suture. No morbidity occurred. One-year excess-weight-loss was 82%. A pre-protocol incidence of 0.56% (n: 3/534) dropped to nil in the remaining 414. CONCLUSION: Iatrogenic stapling of the OGT during SG is rare, but morbid. It must be avoided by a strict protocol. Upon occurrence/recognition, stapling must immediately stop until the "entirety" of the tube, including the "specimen-part", is retrieved, to avoid double entrapment.

Delayed Presentation of Thoracic Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Following Pedicle Screw Implantation: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Pedicle screw insertion has been known to have several complications even in the most skilled surgical hands. However, injury to the thoracic aorta during pedicle screw insertion is rare, delayed presentation secondary to pseudoaneurysm is even rarer, the pseudoaneurysm formation caused by a series of malpositioned pedicle screws has perhaps not been reported so far. CASE PRESENTATION: In this paper, we report here a case in which inadvertent injury to the thoracic aorta resulted in pseudoaneurysm, its manifestation was initially vague, resulting in a delayed diagnosis. Delayed aortic pseudoaneurysm or injury can be asymptomatic for a long time. Patients with renewed or continued back pain should alert orthopaedic surgeons regarding the possibility of pseudoaneurysms, regardless of the period that has elapsed after pedicle screw implantation.

Core Competency Self-Assessment Enhances Critical Review of Complications and Entrustable Activities.

BACKGROUND: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has defined six core competencies (CCs) that every successful physician should possess. However, the assessment of CC achievement among trainees is difficult. This project was designed to prospectively evaluate the impact of resident identification of CC as a component of morbidity review on error identification and standard of care (SOC) assessments. The platform was assessed for its reliability as a measure of resident critical analysis of complication causality across postgraduate year (PGY). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1945 general surgery cases with complications were assessed for error identification and SOC management between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018. CC identification was additionally assessed between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, and included 708 general surgery cases. Data were evaluated for error assessments and overall SOC management. PGY4 and 5 residents were compared for number of cases and complications reviewed, severity, error causation, and CC relevance. RESULTS: Study groups were equivalent by Clavien-Dindo scores. Error identification significantly increased in all categories: diagnostic (P < 0.001), technical (P < 0.05), judgment (P < 0.001), system (P < 0.001), and communication (P < 0.001). Overall SOC assessments validated by a supervising surgical quality officer were unchanged. An increased exposure to cases with severe complications, error causation, and CC relevance was noted across PGY. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of CC assessment into morbidity review appears to improve the critical thinking of evaluating residents by increasing the identification of management errors. Used as an element of prospective self-assessment, teaching residents to identify CC principles in cases with complications may assist in learner progression toward clinical competence and critical thinking.

Characteristics and Burden of Diagnostic Error-Related Malpractice Claims in Neurosurgery.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgery is a specialty associated with high risk of malpractice claims, which can be influenced by quality and safety of care. Diagnostic errors have gained increasing attention as a potentially preventable problem. Despite the burden of diagnostic errors, few studies have analyzed diagnostic errors in neurosurgery. We aimed to delineate the effect of diagnostic errors on malpractice claims involving a neurosurgeon. METHODS: This retrospective study used the national Japanese malpractice claims database and included cases closed between 1961 and 2017. To examine the effect of diagnostic errors in neurosurgery, we compared diagnostic error-related claims (DERCs) with non-DERCs in indemnity, clinical outcomes, and factors relating to neurosurgeons. RESULTS: There were 95 closed malpractice claims involving neurosurgeons during the study period. Of these claims, 36 (37.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 28.7%-47.9%) were DERCs. Patient death was the most common outcome associated with DERCs. Wrong, delayed, and missed diagnosis occurred in 25 (69.4%, 95% CI 53.1%-82.0%), 4 (11.1%, 95% CI 4.4%-25.3%), and 7 (19.4%, 95% CI 9.8%-35.0%) cases, respectively. The most common presenting medical condition in DERCs was stroke. Subarachnoid hemorrhage, accounting for 85.7% of stroke cases, led to 27.8% of the total indemnity paid in DERCs. CONCLUSIONS: DERCs are associated with higher numbers of accepted claims and worse outcomes. Identifying diagnostic errors is important in neurosurgery, and countermeasures are required to reduce the burden on neurosurgeons and improve quality. This is the first study to focus on diagnostic errors in malpractice claims arising from neurosurgery.

Constructivist Grounded Theory to Establish the Relationship Between Technical Error and Adverse Patient Outcome: Modeling Technical Error and Adverse Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Preventable intraoperative errors have the potential to lead to adverse events. Our objective was to build a conceptual model of the relationship between minute technical errors performed by the surgeon and adverse patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used constructivist grounded theory methodology to build a model for the avoidance of technical errors. We used the Observational Clinical Human Reliability Assessment system, which categorizes granular, technical intraoperative errors, as our conceptual framework. We iteratively interviewed surgeons from multiple adult and pediatric surgical specialties, refined our semi-structured interview, and developed a conceptual model. Our model remained stable after interviewing 11 surgeons, and we reviewed it with earlier interviewed surgeons. RESULTS: Our conceptual model helps us understand how technical errors can be associated with adverse outcomes and is applicable to a broad range of surgical steps. Each technical error is defined by a unique improper technical motion that without a compensatory response, it may lead to 1 or more discreet adverse outcomes. Our model includes 5 primary defenses against an adverse outcome, including perfect technique, recognizing imperfect technique, adequately correcting imperfect technique, recognizing an adverse event, and adequately compensating for an adverse event. It includes multiple examples of compensating for a technical error, resulting in a near miss. DISCUSSION: Our conceptual model suggests that adverse patient outcomes can be related to minute technical deviations in surgical technique and provides a basis to study these preventable errors. Our model can also be used to develop intraoperative strategies to prevent these technical surgical errors.

Avaliação da incidência e evitabilidade de eventos adversos em hospitais gerais, público e de ensino de Uberlândia / Evaluation of the incidence and preventability of adverse events in general, public and teaching hospitals in Uberlândia

Conhecer a taxa de EA no ambiente hospitalar constitui um relevante indicador para a segurança do paciente, visto que permite atuar nos processos criando defesas ou barreiras, para tornar a assistência à saúde mais segura. Neste sentido, este estudo objetivou analisar a incidência e a evitabilidade de EA relacionados ao cuidado em saúde em pacientes adultos internados em dois hospitais gerais, público e de ensino. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, analítico, de coorte retrospectiva, com a obtenção de dados de prontuários de pacientes adultos com internações que ocorreram ao longo do ano de 2015. A população-alvo do estudo foi constituída por pacientes adultos internados em dois hospitais gerais, no período compreendido entre janeiro e dezembro de 2015, com alta/óbito no mesmo ano; idade igual ou superior a 18 anos; internação com mais de 24 horas de permanência hospitalar ou óbito em até 24 horas; admissão em todas as unidades de internação, exceto psiquiatria e obstetrícia. Para conduzir a revisão retrospectiva dos prontuários, utilizou-se a versão informatizada dos formulários de rastreamento de potenciais eventos adversos (pEA) (primeira fase) e de avaliação de EA (segunda fase) do software IBEAS, fundamentado no protocolo elaborado pelo Harvard Medical Practice Study (HMPS). Na fase de rastreamento, enfermeiros executaram uma avaliação explícita dos prontuários com a finalidade de rastrear pEA, bem como delinear o perfil demográfico, clínico e relativo à internação dos pacientes. A identificação de ao menos um critério de rastreamento nessa fase selecionou o prontuário para a segunda etapa da revisão. Na fase de avaliação, profissionais médicos realizaram uma avaliação implícita dos prontuários selecionados na fase de rastreamento, para identificação dos EA, antecedentes, caracterização, fatores causais, contribuintes e possibilidade de evitabilidade. Dentre os 370 pacientes que integraram a amostra, 88 apresentaram pEA, prosseguindo para a próxima fase. Na segunda fase constatou-se que 80 pacientes sofreram algum tipo de incidente (com ou sem danos). Ao final, foram confirmados 102 EA relacionados ao cuidado em saúde prestado, os quais acometeram 58 pacientes. Assim, a incidência de EA relacionados ao cuidado em saúde prestado correspondeu à 15,7%. Os EA foram classificados como: relacionados à infecção relacionada à assistência à saúde (IRAS) (47,1%); relacionados aos procedimentos (24,5%); relacionados ao cuidado em geral (14,7%); relacionados a medicamentos (5,9%); relacionados ao diagnóstico (3,9%); e outros tipos de EA (4,1%). Quanto ao tempo de permanência: Não aumentou o tempo de permanência (22,5%); parte do tempo de permanência foi devido ao EA (65,7%); causou reinternação (11,8%). No que tange à gravidade dos EA, averiguou-se que 13,7% foram considerados leves, 51,0% moderados e 35,3% graves. O óbito ocorreu em 29,3% dos pacientes que tiveram algum EA. Acerca da evitabilidade, 99% dos EA poderiam ser evitados. O erro humano foi responsável pela maioria dos EA e os erros por omissão prevaleceram, quando comparados aos erros por comissão. Dentre os fatores contribuintes para a ocorrência dos EA, o cuidado prestado constituiu o principal fator causal. O tipo de hospital e o tipo de internação foram identificados como fator de risco para ocorrência de EA. Assim, os resultados deste estudo mostram a gravidade e evitabilidade dos casos, assim como alta incidência. Reitera-se prevalência de IRAS e da urgência como fator associado aos EA. O método mostra-se, mais uma vez, como potencial ferramenta para a prática investigativa e para pesquisas. Os resultados contribuem para evidenciar o tema segurança do paciente como relevante para investimentos em pesquisas e, principalmente, ações educativas e preventivas. Os casos de óbitos merecem estudos adicionais pela alta frequência. E, com evidências locais do tamanho do problema, as equipes se sentem motivadas para propor e realizar intervenções podem ser mais eficazes para reduzir o número de EA. Finalmente, deve ser dado prioridade ao estímulo e apoio no progresso científico multidisciplinar, tanto na compreensão da complexidade da segurança, quanto no desenvolvimento e avaliação de intervenções, visto que falta no Brasil, instituições nacionais de apoio às pesquisas multidisciplinares na área de segurança do paciente.

Knowing the AE rate in the hospital environment is a relevant indicator for patient safety, since it allows to act in the processes creating defenses or barriers, to make health care safer. In this sense, this study aimed to analyze the incidence and preventability of AE related to health care in adult patients hospitalized in two general, public and teaching hospitals. This is an observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study, with data from medical records of adult patients with hospitalizations that occurred throughout 2015. The target population of the study consisted of adult patients admitted to two general hospitals, between January and December 2015, with discharge/death in the same year; 18 years of age or older; hospitalization with more than 24 hours of hospital stay or death within 24 hours; admission to all inpatient units, except psychiatry and obstetrics. To conduct a retrospective review of medical records, we used the computerized version of the forms of screening of potential adverse events (pAE) (first phase) and evaluation of AE (second phase) of the IBEAS software, based on the protocol elaborated by the Harvard Medical Practice Study (HMPS). In the screening phase, nurses performed an explicit evaluation of medical records in order to track pAE, as well as to outline the demographic, clinical and hospitalization profile of patients. The identification of at least one screening criterion in this phase selected the medical records for the second stage of the review. In the evaluation phase, medical professionals performed an implicit evaluation of the medical records selected in the screening phase, to identify the AE, antecedents, characterization, causation factors, contributors and possibility of preventability. Among the 370 patients who were part of the sample, 88 presented pAE, continuing to the next phase. In the second phase it was found that 80 patients suffered some type of incident (with or without damage). In the end, 102 AE related to the health care provided were confirmed, which had 58 patients. Thus, the incidence of AE related to health care provided corresponded to 15.7%. The AE were classified as: related to healthcare associated infections (HAI) (47.1%); related to procedures (24.5%); related to care in general (14.7%); related to medications (5.9%); related to diagnosis (3.9%); and other types of AE (4.1%). The length of stay: The length of stay did not increase (22.5%); part of the length of stay was due to the AE (65.7%); caused rehospitalization (11.8%). Regarding the severity of AE, it was found that 13.7% were considered mild, 51.0% moderate and 35.3% severe. Death occurred in 29.3% of patients who had some AE. Regarding preventability, 99% of AE could be preventable. Human error was responsible for the majority of AE and errors by omission prevailed when compared to errors by commission. Among the contributing factors for the occurrence of AE, the care provided was the main causal factor. The type of hospital and type of hospitalization were identified as a risk factor for the occurrence of AE. Thus, the results of this study show the severity and preventability of cases, as well as the high incidence. We reiterate the prevalence of HAI and urgency as a factor associated with AE. The method shows itself, once again, as a potential tool for investigative practice and research. The results contribute to highlight the subject of patient safety as relevant for investments in research and, mainly, in educational and preventive actions. Cases of death deserve further studies due to their high frequency. And, with local evidence of the size of the problem, the teams feel motivated to propose and perform effective interventions to reduce the number of AE. Finally, priority should be given to the stimulus and support in multidisciplinary scientific progress, both in understanding the complexity of safety, as well as in the development and evaluation of interventions, since national institutions to support multidisciplinary research in the area of patient safety are lacking in Brazil.