Joint Commission data shows hospital collapse by 2022

Healthcare and patient organizations reported more than 1,400 serious adverse events to the Joint Commission in 2022, up from recent years, according to data released Tuesday.

The Joint Committee concluded: Falls, delayed care and misplaced surgery continue to be the biggest causes of serious patient harm and death.

The accrediting body said in a press release that the key events in the Joint Commission’s annual review only represent those reported voluntarily and that the findings cannot be considered. represent industry-wide trends. However, the figures provide a glimpse into harms suffered by patients at the 547 healthcare institutions that submitted adverse event reports for 2022.

Here are a few lessons:

• The total number of serious events reported has increased by 19% in 2022 compared to 2021 and 78% over 2020. Most events are self-reported by accredited or certified healthcare organizations. report to the Joint Committee.
• Of the major events reported, 20% were associated with patient death, 44% caused temporary serious harm, and 13% with unexpected additional treatments or procedures.
• The number of reported cases related to falls has increased from 173 in 2020 to 611 in 2022. Last year, 40% were caused by patients walking, 23% by patients falling out of bed, and 10% occurred. occurs when the patient uses the restroom.
• The Joint Committee cited a lack of fall risk assessment and inadequate communication among staff during transitions of care as root causes for the increased number of falls.
• In the delayed treatment category, 46% of events involved delayed care, 38% due to missed diagnosis, 14% due to unresolved abnormal test results, and 2% due to unresolved abnormality. incorrect guess.
• Of the serious incidents involving delayed treatment, 66% resulted in death, 17% caused serious harm and 14% caused permanent harm.
• Nearly 90% of key events reported in 2022 occur in hospital environments.
• In the home care setting, 43% of serious adverse events reported related to medical device fire.
• The leading event in ambulatory care settings is misplaced surgeries accounting for 25% of reported events.