Implementation of Adverse event surveillance system in a Tunisian tertiary care hospital (2018-2019)

Abstract

Abstract Background We found a high incidence of Adverse Events (AEs) following a survey conducted at Sahloul Hospital. Therefore, a surveillance system of AEs was implemented as a part of the implementation of the quality and risk management approach at Sahloul hospital, since April 2018. The aim of this study was to describe results of this system between May 2018 and April 2019. Methods It is a descriptive longitudinal study conducted at the Sahloul Hospital for a period of one year from May 1st, 2018 to April 30, 2019. Each service is provided with a data sheet that allows staff to report each adverse event they have witnessed. This does not include AEs that are part of alertness, blood exposure accidents or occupational accidents, or nosocomial infections which are assessed by specific circuits already in place. Results During the follow-up period, 93 AEs were reported. These AEs predominate in the sterilization unit followed by medical resuscitation and nephrology department with respective rates of 17.2%, 12.9% and 11.8%. The most frequent AEs were for maintenance (21.5%), medical device disinfection (20.5%), material resources (16.1%), and human resources (8.6%). According to criticality, the majority of AEs are tolerable under control (41.9%), unacceptable in 33.3% of cases and acceptable in 24.7% of cases. Conclusions In order to ensure proper functioning of the AEs surveillance and reporting system, the awareness of health professionals and their training would be essential. Quality of the information to be reported represents a challenge to be met to enable the planning, implementation and evaluation of improvement actions. Experience feedback would be with considerable benefit to improve the quality of professional practices. Key messages Surveillance and reporting system data analysis allow to identify mecanisms of the occurence of adverse events. Experience feedback is with considerable benefit to improve the quality of professional practices.