A newly released report by Safer Care Victoria has unveiled troubling statistics regarding surgical and medical errors within Victorian hospitals. The report, covering the year leading up to June 2023, highlights a record 245 sentinel or “harm events,” marking a two percent increase from the previous year.
Among the most concerning findings are instances of foreign objects, such as surgical sponges and swabs, being left inside patients’ bodies. These errors have led to severe infections and, in some cases, fatalities. The report identifies key issues, including staff changes during procedures, modifications to dressings, and errors in counting swabs, as contributing factors to these tragic outcomes.
Additionally, the report outlines several critical errors including surgeries performed on the wrong side of a patient’s body and incorrect procedures. Medication errors have also resulted in 18 deaths, with problems such as incorrect dosages and prescribing mistakes frequently cited.
The report also reveals missed diagnoses of testicular torsion, a serious condition that primarily affects young boys, despite patients presenting with severe abdominal pain at emergency departments.
Safer Care Victoria’s Chief Executive, Louise McKinlay, emphasized the importance of learning from these incidents to prevent recurrence. “We’re seeing a stabilisation in the number of sentinel events being reported to us,” McKinlay said. “This demonstrates an improving culture of transparency on safety risk issues and a willingness to learn from patient harm.”
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced several initiatives aimed at improving patient safety, including a new urgent helpline for patient and family concerns, standardised monitoring across hospitals, and a 24/7 virtual paediatric consultation system. “Every sentinel event is a tragedy, but it is our responsibility to learn from them and maintain a health system that is safe for every Victorian,” Thomas stated.
In response to the report, opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier criticized the state’s healthcare system, describing it as being in crisis. “Our health system is in crisis, and this report shows that the numbers of people experiencing these shocking incidents are not declining,” Crozier said. “These are avoidable incidents and should be avoided at all costs.”
The report highlights the pressing need for systemic improvements and greater accountability within Victoria’s health system to ensure the safety and well-being of all patients.
Source: www.appnews.com.au
