What does a Patient Safety Event include?

The concept of a Patient Safety Event is primarily focused on incidents that can cause harm to a patient. This includes any unintended or unexpected occurrence that poses a risk to patient safety, such as falls, medication errors, or surgical complications. Such events are significant because they highlight areas where improvements can be made in the healthcare system to enhance patient safety and prevent future occurrences.

In contrast, planned procedures, scheduled appointments, and routine check-ups are part of standard patient care and do not inherently involve unexpected or unintended risks. While these activities are critical components of healthcare delivery, they do not fall under the definition of a Patient Safety Event unless they result in an adverse outcome for the patient. Therefore, the focus on unintended or unexpected events in the context of patient safety is what makes this choice the most accurate.