Latest news with #SaferCareVictoria
The Age
4 days ago
- Health
- The Age
Botched hospital stays caused more than 100 deaths
Three Victorian patients died or were seriously harmed after receiving surgery on the wrong part of their body last financial year. Two others were left with life-threatening complications because foreign objects – such as surgical sponges, cotton swabs or clamps – were unintentionally left inside them at the end of an invasive procedure. Thirteen people died or were seriously harmed because they were either given the wrong medication or incorrect dosage. And six died by suspected suicide in an acute psychiatric unit or ward. The revelations are contained in Victoria's latest annual review of hospital errors resulting in serious harm or death, otherwise known as 'sentinel events'. The report – compiled by government agency Safer Care Victoria and obtained by The Age before it was published – found there were 193 such incidents during the 2023-24 financial year, resulting in approximately 112 deaths. While the overall number of sentinel events and subsequent deaths are down compared to last year's record high of 245 incidents and 167 patient deaths, there has been a year-on-year spike in the number of suspected suicides in acute psychiatric settings and the proportion of sentinel events involving babies less than seven days old. The six Victorians who died by suspected suicide in an acute psychiatric setting last financial year represent a threefold increase compared to 2022-23 when two individuals died in similar circumstances. The proportion of self-harm incidents among uncategorised sentinel events also grew year-on-year, from 7 per cent to 10 per cent. The Age can confirm Safer Care Victoria will conduct a review of the way health services report these so-called 'category 11' cases, which make up the vast majority of incidents.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Botched hospital stays caused more than 100 deaths
Three Victorian patients died or were seriously harmed after receiving surgery on the wrong part of their body last financial year. Two others were left with life-threatening complications because foreign objects – such as surgical sponges, cotton swabs or clamps – were unintentionally left inside them at the end of an invasive procedure. Thirteen people died or were seriously harmed because they were either given the wrong medication or incorrect dosage. And six died by suspected suicide in an acute psychiatric unit or ward. The revelations are contained in Victoria's latest annual review of hospital errors resulting in serious harm or death, otherwise known as 'sentinel events'. The report – compiled by government agency Safer Care Victoria and obtained by The Age before it was published – found there were 193 such incidents during the 2023-24 financial year, resulting in approximately 112 deaths. While the overall number of sentinel events and subsequent deaths are down compared to last year's record high of 245 incidents and 167 patient deaths, there has been a year-on-year spike in the number of suspected suicides in acute psychiatric settings and the proportion of sentinel events involving babies less than seven days old. The six Victorians who died by suspected suicide in an acute psychiatric setting last financial year represent a threefold increase compared to 2022-23 when two individuals died in similar circumstances. The proportion of self-harm incidents among uncategorised sentinel events also grew year-on-year, from 7 per cent to 10 per cent. The Age can confirm Safer Care Victoria will conduct a review of the way health services report these so-called 'category 11' cases, which make up the vast majority of incidents.
