Review Of Deaths Research Articles

The Recent Rise of Eutylone Intoxications in Onondaga County and Surrounding Counties.

Eutylone is an emerging synthetic stimulant that is quickly gaining popularity due to its affordability and wide availability. A recent surge has been observed in Upstate New York. This study presents a retrospective review of deaths in which eutylone was identified in postmortem samples from January 2018 to December 2021 in the electronic database of the Onondaga County medical examiner's office in Syracuse, NY. Of the 176 subjects who met the study criteria, 128 (73%) were male and 48 (27%) were female, with a mean age of 37.6 years. Most of the subjects were listed as White (89%), followed by African American (9%). Most of the cases had multiple medical comorbidities (89%), with anxiety and hypertension being the most common illnesses. Chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to perform a qualitative analysis of femoral blood and urine samples to detect multiple drugs, including eutylone. Substance abuse disorder was present in 135 (77%) cases, with opiates and cocaine being the most common additional drugs detected. The most common cause and manner of death were drug toxicity and accident, in 137 (78%) and 143 (81%) cases, respectively. Overall, the study suggests that eutylone is a growing concern in Upstate New York, and its use is increasing in prevalence. Policymakers and health care providers should take steps to address this emerging issue and prevent further harm to individuals and communities affected by drug overdose.

Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths in Namibia, 2018-2019: A Local Approach to Strengthen the Review Process and a Description of Review Findings and Recommendations.

First objective was to strengthen the national maternal death review, by addressing local challenges with each step of the review cycle. Second objective was to describe review findings and compare these with available findings of previous reviews. Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths methodology was used to review maternal deaths. To improve reporting, the national committee focussed on addressing fear of blame among healthcare providers. Second focus was on dissemination of findings and acting on recommendations forthcoming the review. Reviewed were reported maternal deaths, that occurred between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019. Seventy maternal deaths were reported; for 69 (98.6%) medical records were available, compared to 80/119 (67.2%) in 2012-2015. Reported maternal mortality ratio increased with 48% (92/100,000 live births compared to 62/100,000 in 2012-2015). Obstetric haemorrhage was leading cause of death in the past three reviews. The "no name, no blame" policy, aiming to identify health system failures, rather than mistakes of individuals, was repeatedly explained to healthcare providers during facility visits. Recommendations based on findings of the review, such as retaining experienced staff, continuous in-service training and guidance, were shared with decision makers at regional and national levels. Healthcare providers received training based on review findings, which resulted in improved management of similar cases. Enhanced implementation of Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths was possible after addressing local challenges. Focussing on obtaining trust of healthcare providers and feeding back findings, resulted in better reporting and prevention of potential maternal deaths.

Ensuring No Death Is Ignored: Development of a Hospital Mortality Review and Notification System.

Standardized review of mortalities may identify potential system improvements. We designed a hospitalwide identification, review, and notification system for inpatient pediatric mortalities. Key stakeholders constructed a future state process map for identification and review of deaths. An online mortality review form was modified through a series of Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles and spread to all pediatric services in January 2019. Mortalities occurring within 30 days of discharge were added in December 2019. Our primary outcome was percentage of mortalities reviewed, and the process measure was time to review completion. Additional Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were used to refine 2 mechanisms for monthly notification of deaths. We surveyed monthly mortality notification e-mail recipients to elicit feedback to further improve notifications. After the pilot, 284 of 328 (86.6%) of mortalities were reviewed. Average time to review completion decreased by 49% compared with baseline after an increase during the first year of the pandemic. Qualitative analysis of a subset of these mortalities showed that 154 of 229 (67.2%) underwent further review. We added a summary of mortalities by unit to a monthly hospitalwide safety report and developed monthly mortality notification e-mails. The survey showed that 89% of respondents (70 of 79) learned about a death they did not know about, 58% (46 of 79) sought additional information through discussion with a colleague, and 76% (65 of 86) agreed that the notifications helped process grief. We describe an effective and well-received approach to the identification, review, and notification of mortalities at an academic pediatric hospital, which may be useful at other institutions.

Factors influencing maternal death surveillance and review implementation in Dodoma City, Tanzania. A qualitative case study.

With 295 000 maternal deaths in 2017, 94% in low- and middle-income countries, maternal death is a matter of global public health concern. To address it, Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) strategy was introduced in 2013 by the World Health Organization. With a reported maternal mortality ratio of 556:100000 per live births, Tanzania adopted the strategy in 2015. Studies are needed to understand factors influencing the implementation of MDSR in this specific setting. The study aimed to assess the processes influencing MDSR implementation in Dodoma city council. A qualitative case study was conceptualized according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, focusing on implementation process domain. Members of MDSR committees were enrolled by purposeful sampling in the five health centres in Dodoma where the strategy was fully implemented and functional. In-depth interviews were conducted with key informants concerning the implementation processes influencing MDSR. Saturation was reached with the 15th respondent. Qualitative inductive content analysis was used to analyse data. The inclusiveness in participatory planning process, stakeholders' readiness and accountability and collective learning were acknowledged as factors positively influencing the implementation of MDSR strategy by respondents. The interaction and alignment of influential factors were essential for successful implementation. MDSR implementation is positively influenced by factors that interact and converge in the building of a learning health system, to increase knowledge through practice and improve practice through knowledge. Further studies are needed to analyse the influence of additional factors at different levels of implementation to fully understand and empower the MDSR implementation network, and to better target the goal of closing the knowledge to practice loop.

Understandings, attitudes, practices and responses to GHB overdose among GHB consumers

BackgroundGamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is used at disproportionately high rates within sexuality and gender diverse communities and carries a high risk of overdose. GHB overdose can result in death. Internationally, recent increases in GHB overdoses have been observed. Coronial reviews of GHB-related death highlight the pivotal roles that bystanders to GHB overdose play in preventing fatality. No research has examined, in detail, how bystanders respond to GHB overdose. This qualitative study was conducted among people who use GHB and explored how they responded upon witnessing a GHB overdose experienced by someone else.MethodsInterviews were conducted with 31 sexuality and gender diverse Australian residents reporting three or more occasions of GHB use in the previous 12 months. Participants were asked questions about witnessed GHB overdose, their actions and decision-making processes throughout overdose. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsParticipants described witnessing GHB overdose, commonly in private settings involving sexualized GHB use. Variable definitions of GHB overdose were reported, ranging from GHB-induced symptoms of distress to comatose intoxication. Drastic actions to keep someone alert and responsive post-GHB ingestion were reported; these included the administration of stimulant substances and citrus. Decisions to call or not call for emergency medical services (EMS) were influenced by many circumstantial variables. In most instances, an EMS call was resisted and response practices deviated from established first aid protocols.ConclusionsGHB overdose prevention and response training programs targeting people who use GHB are urgently required. These education interventions ought to address inaccuracies that inform street remedies for GHB overdose, teach people how to safely check breathing and response, promote basic first aid principles and address barriers to contacting EMS.

Quality in neonatal mortality audits: Results of pilot study from district of Dhule, Maharashtra.

As per WHO guidelines, it is important to have quality among mortality audit documents to improve outcome in health services. To assess quality of facility-based neonatal mortality audits implementation. Mixed-method descriptive analysis was conducted. Totally, 96 death review documents were reviewed. The 25 healthcare workers were interviewed in depth. Observation analysis done for audit meetings using WHO modified checklist for quality in audit toolkit. The observation of audit meetings highlighted that almost half of the members were not communicated regarding vision of audit and framework of audit and review meetings. In quantitative analysis, it was found that secondary care hospitals were not having accuracy and consistency in audit documentation. The quality of neonatal death audit was poor due to challenges faced by the hospitals in creating an enabling atmosphere, which can be overcome by sharing the vision of audit with the whole staff of the hospital. A standard operating procedure for audit committee to be adopted to implement action plans. Commitment, investment, and intentional leadership from everyone, including all healthcare workers, can make these ambitious goals attainable.

A protocol for a systematic review of standardised tools used in perinatal death review programmes.

Introduction: Perinatal mortality encompasses stillbirths and early neonatal deaths. A perinatal death surveillance and response cycle has been recommended by the World Health Organization for use in the review of perinatal deaths. The main components of the cycle include identifying and reporting perinatal deaths, and reviewing the deaths, including potentially modifiable factors, in order to measure and improve quality of care provided to women and infants. There is no consensus on the best way to design, implement and conduct perinatal death reviews. This systematic review aims to identify standardised tools that are used to review perinatal deaths. Objectives: The primary aim of this protocol is to describe methodology for a systematic search of the literature to identify standardised tools that are used to review perinatal deaths in upper-middle to high-income countries. Review tools may include standardised checklists, forms, frameworks or other structured documents used to review perinatal deaths. Review tools will be appraised to see if they incorporate the identification of modifiable factors in perinatal deaths and establish recommendations for improvements to quality of care provided. Methods: A systematic review of the literature will be performed to identify peer-reviewed publications and grey literature describing the use of perinatal mortality review tools without date restrictions. The eligibility of review tools for inclusion will be based on inclusion and exclusion criteria applied to the SPIDER framework. Data will be extracted based on the structure and content of included review tools, and the tools will be appraised using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation Health Systems (AGREE-HS) instrument. Conclusion: This systematic review protocol for identifying and appraising standardised perinatal mortality review tools may help to establish the optimal way to structure a standardised review process for perinatal mortality in middle- to high-income countries. PROSPERO registration: CRD42022326877.

Global Stillbirth Policy Review - Outcomes And Implications Ahead of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal Agenda.

Globally, data on stillbirth is limited. A call to action has been issued to governments to address the data gap by strengthening national policies and strategies to drive urgent action on stillbirth reduction. This study aims to understand the policy environment for stillbirths to advance stillbirth recording and reporting in data systems. A systematic three-step process (survey tool examination, identifying relevant study questions, and reviewing country responses to the survey and national documents) was taken to review country responses to the global 2018-2019 World Health Organization (WHO) Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Policy Survey. Policy Survey responses were reviewed to identify if and how stillbirths were included in national documents. This paper uses descriptive analyses to identify and describe the relationship between multiple variables. Responses from 155 countries to the survey were analysed, and over 800 national policy documents submitted by countries in English reviewed. Fewer than one-fifth of countries have an established stillbirth rate (SBR) target, with higher percentages reported for under-5 (71.0%) and neonatal mortality (68.5%). Two-thirds (65.8%) of countries reported a national maternal death review panel. Less than half (43.9%) of countries have a national policy that requires stillbirths to be reviewed. Two-thirds of countries have a national policy requiring review of neonatal deaths. WHO websites and national health statistics reports are the common data sources for stillbirth estimates. Countries that are signatories to global initiatives on stillbirth reduction have established national targets. Globally, nearly all countries (94.8%) have a national policy that requires every death to be registered. However, 45.5% of reviewed national policy documents made mention of registering stillbirths. Only 5 countries had national policy documents recommending training of health workers in filling out death certificates using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 for stillbirths. The current policy environment in countries is not supportive for identifying stillbirths and recording causes of death. This is likely to contribute to slow progress in stillbirth reduction. The paper proposes policy recommendations to make every baby count.

Utility of Expert Panel to Identify Preventable Perinatal Deaths: Results from Audit Based Interventional Study in Two Districts of Karnataka State, India

Background: India has child death review which misses the information from private hospitals and community. Community based perinatal death auditing is required to identify preventable perinatal deaths. The objectives are to know utility of expert panel in an audit-based approach to identify 1). preventable perinatal deaths, 2) Risk factors in cases of perinatal deaths Methodology: Perinatal death auditing was conducted in two districts of Karnataka state. As a part of audit system, an expert panel consisting of paediatricians and obstetricians was formed for each district. The panel met every month and received information about perinatal deaths occurring in the hospitals (government and private) apart from the community in these districts. The panel considered available information about survival chances and care provided to decide if a perinatal death was preventable, possibly preventable or not preventable. Results: Proportion Of identified preventable and possibly preventable perinatal deaths in Koppal District (60%, 20%) was higher than Dakshina Kannada district (34.4%, 30.2%). The proportion preventable intranatal and neonatal risks in Koppal District (79%, 66%) was higher than Dakshina Kannada District (47%, 19%). Conclusion: Expert panel is useful to identify preventable perinatal deaths. The pattern of risk identified has implications for improvements in quality of care provided to high-risk cases.

Facilitators for and Barriers to the Implementation of Performance Accountability Mechanisms for Quality Improvement in the Delivery of Maternal Health Services in a District Hospital in Pwani Region, Tanzania.

Tanzania experiences a burden of maternal mortality and morbidity. Despite the efforts to institute accountability mechanisms, little is known about quality improvement in the delivery of maternal health services. This study aimed at exploring barriers and facilitators to enforcing performance accountability mechanisms for quality improvement in maternal health services. A case study design was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with thirteen key informants. Data were analyzed using thematic analyses. The findings were linked to two main performance accountability mechanisms: maternal and perinatal death reviews (MPDRs) and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Prioritization of the maternal health agenda by the government and the presence of maternal death review committees were the main facilitators for MPDRs, while negligence, inadequate follow-up, poor record-keeping, and delays were the main barriers facing MPDRs. M&E was facilitated by the availability of health management information systems, day-to-day ward rounds, online ordering of medicines, and the use of biometrics. Non-use of data for decision-making, supervision being performed on an ad hoc basis, and inadequate health workforce were the main barriers to M&E. The findings underscore that barriers to the performance accountability mechanisms are systemic and account for limited effectiveness in the improvement of quality of care.

Maternal Deaths Surveillance and Response System: A Case of Nepal

The objective of this paper is to share Nepali experience of maternal death surveillance and response in reducing
 preventable maternal deaths. Secondary data, mainly an assessment report of Maternal and Perinatal Death
 Surveillance and Response system, is used in developing this paper. To bridge the information gap, informal
 discussions were held with key informants. Reducing maternal mortality is an unfinished agenda of millennium
 development goals, which is carried over to sustainable development goals era. Nepal, building on an ongoing
 initiative of Maternal Death Review, established a Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response
 system. It comprises: (a) maternal death review and response in community; and (b) maternal death review
 and response in hospitals. Until 2019, 11 districts implemented the former component, while 77 hospitals practiced the latter. The main reason underlying maternal death was delay in getting adequate care. Social factors contributed to delay in 89.6% of cases, while in 10.4% of cases, it was attributed to factors in health care. The paper concludes that public health measures and improved service quality was key in preventing maternal deaths. It is, however, imperative to undertake an in-depth review and thereby define interventions for strengthening and upscaling the initiative.

Medicate or operate: epilepsy surgery could save lives.

Drug-resistant epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder with a significant impact on the lives of affected children and their families. A child is diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy if seizure control is not achieved despite receiving the maximally optimised doses of two appropriately chosen antiepileptic medications. 1 Kwan P Arzimanoglou A Berg AT et al. Definition of drug resistant epilepsy: consensus proposal by the ad hoc Task Force of the ILAE Commission on Therapeutic Strategies. Epilepsia. 2010; 51: 1069-1077 Crossref PubMed Scopus (2851) Google Scholar Mortality risk is seven times higher in children with epilepsy than in the general population. 2 Callenbach PM Westendorp RG Geerts AT et al. Mortality risk in children with epilepsy: the Dutch study of epilepsy in childhood. Pediatrics. 2001; 107: 1259-1263 Crossref PubMed Scopus (98) Google Scholar One contributor to the mortality associated with drug-resistant epilepsy is sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP); ie, unexpected death with no obvious cause. 3 Nashef L So EL Ryvlin P Tomson T Unifying the definitions of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2012; 53: 227-233 Crossref PubMed Scopus (397) Google Scholar One in 833 children with drug-resistant epilepsy is estimated to die from SUDEP every year. 4 Ryvlin P Rheims S Lhatoo SD Risks and predictive biomarkers of SUDEP. Curr Opin Neurol. 2019; 32: 205-212 Crossref PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar The most common risk factors for SUDEP are high seizure frequency, early age of seizure onset, and multiple antiseizure drugs. 5 Abdel-Mannan O Taylor H Donner EJ Sutcliffe AG A systematic review of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in childhood. Epilepsy Behav. 2019; 90: 99-106 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (46) Google Scholar Other causes of death include status epilepticus, injury related to seizures, and suicide. Comparison of long-term survival with continued medical therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, and cranial epilepsy surgery in paediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy in the USA: an observational cohort studyPaediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who underwent cranial epilepsy surgery or VNS had a higher survival rate than those who received only medical treatment. These findings highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary comprehensive team approach to the treatment of epilepsy, which includes tailored evaluation and deployment of medical and surgical treatment options for patients with this challenging disease. Full-Text PDF

Validating the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool Score in a US Population-Based Study of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The World Health Organization fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) algorithm for risk prediction of major osteoporotic and hip fractures accounts for several risk factors, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), since individuals with RA have an excess burden of fractures. FRAX has not been validated in population-based RA cohorts in the US. We aimed to determine the accuracy of FRAX predictions for individuals with RA in the US. This retrospective population-based cohort study included residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who were followed until death, migration, or last medical record review. Each patient with RA (1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria met in 1980-2007, age 40-89 years) was matched 1:1 on age and sex to an individual without RA from the same underlying population. Ten-year predictions for major osteoporotic and hip fractures were estimated using the FRAX tool. Fractures were ascertained through follow-up, truncated at 10 years. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% CI were calculated to compare observed and predicted fractures. The study included 662 patients with RA and 658 non-RA comparators (66.8% vs 66.9% female and a mean age of 60.6 vs 60.5 years, respectively). Among patients with RA, 76 major osteoporotic fractures and 21 hip fractures were observed during follow-up (median follow-up: 9.0 years) compared to 67.0 predicted major osteoporotic fractures (SIR 1.13, 95% CI 0.91-1.42) and 23.3 predicted hip fractures (SIR 0.90, 95% CI 0.59-1.38). The observed and predicted major osteoporotic and hip fracture risks were similar for patients with RA and non-RA comparators. The FRAX tool is an accurate method for estimating major osteoporotic and hip fracture risk in patients with RA.

Five-year review (2014-2019) of paediatric accidental deaths in Cook County, Illinois (USA).

In the USA, intentional and accidental injuries are the most frequent causes of death in children. Many of these deaths could be avoided through preventive measures, and aetiological studies are needed to reduce fatalities. The leading causes of accidental death vary by age. We analysed all paediatric accidental deaths recorded by a busy urban Medical Examiner"s Office in Chicago, Illinois (USA). We searched the electronic database for accidental deaths in children aged under 10 between 1 August 2014 and 31 July 2019. 131 deaths were identified with a preponderance of males and African Americans. This is consistent with ratios of other deaths recorded for this age group (during the same period and area). The leading causes of death were asphyxia due to an unsafe sleeping environment (in subjects <1-year-old), and road traffic accidents/drowning (in subjects >1-year-old). Behaviours, risk factors and environments most likely to contribute to fatal injuries are discussed. Our study highlights the role of forensic pathologists and medico-legal death investigators who identify the causes and circumstances surrounding these deaths. The research results may help from an epidemiological perspective to implement age-specific preventive strategies.

A review of deaths in surgery using the structured judgement case note review process

Introduction In December 2016, the Care Quality Commission published a review of how National Health Service trusts investigate patient deaths. Provider organisations and commissioners must work together to review and improve their local approach following the death of people receiving care from their services. Methods The Royal College of Physicians led the National Mortality Case Record Review programme based on the qualitative approach developed by Professor Hutchinson and colleagues at the Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network. The structured case note review (SCNR) is divided into six phases followed by an overall judgement of the quality of care and of the medical records. We have modified the SCNR to include a section for returns to theatre. The process also includes an assessment of whether any shortcomings in the quality of care contributed to death. Results This paper reports the results of the first 172 SCNRs undertaken in surgery at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. The vast majority (97%) of patients were admitted as emergencies. Overall care was graded as poor in four cases, with problems identified in three cases that were likely to have contributed to death. Two of the recurring themes for learning were failure to escalate a deterioration in the National Early Warning Score and delays in recognising deterioration due to acute surgical problems on medical wards. Conclusions Learning from mistakes is fundamental. The SCNR offers a process to identify both good and poor practice as well as bringing to light previously unrecognised care delivery problems.

Multiagency approaches to preventing sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI): a review and analysis of UK policies

BackgroundRecent reviews of sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) in England recommend a multiagency working (MAW) approach to prevention but lack clear guidance around how this might be implemented.AimsIn England,...

Using Forensic Toxicology to Enhance Medicolegal Death Investigations.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office performed an evidence-based review of natural deaths certified without autopsy or toxicology testing. Three hundred fifteen such cases from 2020 and 2021 were selected. This study reviewed the deaths to determine if the cause was drug-related instead due to natural disease.Blood samples were screened by liquid chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry with time-of-flight detector. The analytes detected were evaluated for contribution to the cause resulting in a change in manner from natural to accident or suicide. Confirmatory analysis was performed where appropriate, and results were reported to the forensic pathologist for evaluation. Where appropriate, the death certificate was amended.As a result of the screening and confirmatory work, 18 cases were identified where significant drugs were detected, and thus the cause and manner of death were amended. One case was amended from natural to suicide after a conversation with the family about the toxicology findings. The remaining cases were amended to a manner of accident. The scope of drugs responsible for the deaths included prescription and illicit.

Retrospective Review of Antecustodial Deaths Referred for Medicolegal Autopsy at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Deaths occurring in police custody have dominated public discourse over recent years. However, deaths occurring after law enforcement have initiated nonphysical contact but before active restraint or containment lie outside the strict definition of "in custody." These "antecustodial" deaths demonstrate a unique population and interaction with law enforcement. A retrospective analysis of medicolegal cases referred to the Medical University of South Carolina from September 1, 2012, to April 28, 2022 was performed. Deaths during nonphysical interaction with or during evasion of law enforcement occurred in 78 cases and were categorized by demographic data, cause of death, manner of death, the presence of drugs and/or alcohol, and circumstances surrounding the interaction. Antecustodial deaths occurred primarily during law enforcement pursuit and deescalation scenarios. Decedents were predominantly male (92.3%) with a Black-to-White ratio of 1.1:1. The average age of male and female decedents was 35.7 and 32.2 years, respectively. The most common causes of death were gunshot wounds and blunt trauma sustained in motor vehicle crashes. The most common manner of death was homicide (43.6%), followed by suicide (28.2%) and accident (28.2%).

Binational confidential enquiry of maternal deaths due to postpartum hemorrhage in France and the Netherlands: Lessons learned through the perspective of a different contextof care.

To learn lessons for maternity care by scrutinizing postpartum hemorrhage management (PPH) in cases of PPH-related maternal deaths in France and the Netherlands. In this binational Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (CEMD), 14 PPH-related maternal deaths were reviewed by six experts from the French and Dutch national maternal death review committees regarding cause and preventability of death, clinical care and healthcare organization. Improvable care factors and lessons learned were identified. CEMD practices and PPH guidelines in France and the Netherlands were compared in the process. For France, new insights were primarily related to organization of healthcare, with lessons learned focusing on medical leadership and implementation of (surgical) checklists. For the Netherlands, insights were mainly related to clinical care, emphasizing hemostatic surgery earlier in the course of PPH and reducing the third stage of labor by prompter manual removal of the placenta. Experts recommended extending PPH guidelines with specific guidance for women refusing blood products and systematic evaluation of risk factors. The quality of CEMD was presumed to benefit from enhanced case finding, also through non-obstetric sources, and electronic reporting of maternal deaths to reduce the administrative burden. A binational CEMD revealed opportunities for improvement of care beyond lessons learned at the national level.

Understanding ultrarare adverse events - Lessons learned from a twelve-year review of intraoperative deaths at an academic medical center

BackgroundIntraoperative death (ID) is rare, the incidence remains challenging to quantify and learning opportunities are limited. We aimed to better define the demographics of ID by reviewing the longest single-site series. MethodsRetrospective chart reviews, including a review of contemporaneous incident reports, were performed on all ID between March 2010 to August 2022 at an academic medical center. ResultsOver 12 years, 154 IDs occurred (∼13/year, average age: 54.3 years, male: 60%). Most occurred during emergency procedures (n = 115, 74.7%), 39 (25.3%) during elective procedures. Incident reports were submitted in 129 cases (84%). 21 (16.3%) reports cited 28 contributing factors including challenges with coordination (n = 8, 28.6%), skill-based errors (n = 7, 25.0%), and environmental factors (n = 3, 10.7%). ConclusionsMost deaths occurred in patients admitted from the ER with general surgical problems. Despite expectations for incident reporting, few provided actionable information on ergonomic factors which might help identify improvement opportunities.