Patient safety in developing countries: retrospective estimation of scale and nature of harm to patients in hospital

A study conducted in six countries of the Region (all with developing or transitional economies) revealed that up to 18% of inpatient admissions in hospitals are associated with adverse events. Importantly, around 3% of hospital admissions are associated with death or permanent disability and 83% of such adverse events were judged to be preventable. This is an important study and calls the attention of policy-makers to the extent of the problem of unsafe health care. It also sheds light on the key areas that require attention.

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Evidence of unsafe care