Terminology Flashcards
What is a sentinel event?
Any event that has resulted in an unanticipated death or major permanent loss of function (not related to the primary illness).
It’s an unplanned, unexpected and undesired event, usually with an adverse consequence.
Accident
It’s an injury caused by medical management or complication instead of the disease, and resulted in prolonged hospitalization:
Adverse event
It’s an unexpected harm that results from a correct process for the context.
Adverse reaction.
Where practitioners interact directly with the hazardous process in their roles.
Sharp end.
The part of the system that’s not directly involved with patients, but still influences the care they receive.
Blunt end.
An event or situation that could have resulted in an adverse event but did not.
Close call.
A factor or event that contributed to the start or evolution of an incident or increased its risk.
Contributing factor.
What’s the definition of harm?
Any physical or psychological injury or damage to the health of a person (permanent or temporary).
It’s a correct action that does not proceed as intended.
Error of execution
It’s an error due to lack of knowledge or skill
Error of proficiency
A deliberate deviation from standards, rules or safe operating procedures.
Error of violation.
A general term that refers to situations where a planned sequence of mental or physical activities does not achieve its intended outcome:
Error
An error that occurs as a result of an action taken. A wrong plan to achieve an aim.
Error of commission.
An error that occurs as a result of an action NOT taken. Not giving a patient a beneficial intervention.
Error of omission.
A situation or event that introduces or increases the probability of an adverse event. The potential source of harm.
Hazard.
Is an event that shows a serious failure to meet the standard of care in a healthcare facility.
Eg: incorrectly changing a patient’s medication or leaving a patient alone for too long.
Incident
A legal obligation that is the result of performing something one does as a professional.
Liability.
An event that could have resulted in an accident, injury or illness but did not:
Near miss.
The desired health outcomes are consistent with current professional knowledge.
Quality.
The freedom from accidental injury.
Safety
The probability that an accident will occur:
Risk
The main reason an event has occurred
Root cause
A set of interrelated parts that work together toward a common goal
System
