What can be a direct result of an adverse event in inpatient settings?

An adverse event in inpatient settings refers to an injury or complication that results from medical care, rather than the patient's underlying condition. When such an event occurs, it can lead to an unintended injury or complication for the patient. For instance, a medication error may cause harm, or a surgical error might lead to further health issues. This outcome directly highlights the risks associated with healthcare delivery and underscores the importance of patient safety protocols. The recognition of this event often informs the need for improvements in practices and safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

In contrast, although improved staff training, increased hospital admissions, and enhanced patient loyalty can sometimes follow a review of adverse events, they are not direct outcomes of such incidents. These may be considered indirect results or responses to the recognition of adverse events but do not occur automatically as a consequence of the events themselves.