Home / Health / NHS Patients Suffer Preventable Harm: 403 'Never Events'
NHS Patients Suffer Preventable Harm: 403 'Never Events'
8 Jun
Summary
- 403 'never events' occurred in the past year, indicating preventable patient harm.
- Wrong site surgery accounted for 166 serious incidents, including patient mix-ups.
- Foreign objects left in patients post-surgery numbered 121, including surgical items.
The NHS recorded 403 "never events" in the past year, marking a significant number of serious, preventable patient safety incidents. These failures highlight critical issues within the health service, with a substantial portion involving wrong site surgery.
Among the 403 incidents, 166 related to wrong site surgery. This included 17 instances where procedures were performed on the incorrect patient and 40 where treatment was given to the wrong body part. A further eight procedures were carried out that were not part of the patient's planned treatment.
Additionally, 121 "never events" involved foreign objects being left inside patients post-surgery. These ranged from surgical swabs and needles to central catheter lines and gloves. Fifty incidents also involved the wrong implant or prosthesis being used, affecting procedures like hip and knee replacements.
Other serious events included medication administered via the wrong route, incorrect insulin overdoses, and wrong blood type transfusions. Falls from poorly restricted windows and scalding incidents were also reported. An NHS spokesperson emphasized that while such events are rare, trusts are required to investigate and learn from them to improve safety.
