Preventing medical injury.

Although adverse events (AEs) are not uncommon in hospitalized patients, they are by no means inevitable. A review of records from a population-based study in New York revealed that nearly 4% of hospitalized patients suffered AEs. Two-thirds of those events were considered to be caused by errors in management, most of which were not because of negligence. A large part of the reason preventable AEs occur is that today's medical care is extremely complex, involving a variety of personnel, equipment, and procedures. By seeking to eliminate errors in the system of providing care and raising the awareness of health care providers about the potential for AEs, programs can be established to address and possibly remedy this serious problem.