Duke Surgery Patient Safety: An Open-Source Tool for Reporting Surgical Events
Author Information
Author(s): Pietrobon Ricardo, Lima Raquel, Shah Anand, Jacobs Danny O, Harker Matthew, McCready Mariana, Martins Henrique, Richardson William
Primary Institution: Duke University Medical Center
Hypothesis
Can an open-source application improve the reporting of adverse and near-miss surgical events?
Conclusion
The Duke Surgery Patient Safety application facilitates anonymous reporting of adverse events and can be adapted for use in various surgical departments.
Supporting Evidence
- 4% of hospitalized patients experience adverse events due to medical treatment.
- The application allows for anonymous reporting, which can improve reporting rates.
- Usability tests showed that users found the application easy to learn and use.
Takeaway
This study created a free tool that helps doctors report mistakes in surgery without getting in trouble, making it safer for patients.
Methodology
The application was developed using Java and tested for usability by healthcare professionals.
Potential Biases
The focus on anonymous reporting may lead to underreporting of certain events if not properly managed.
Limitations
The application has only been tested within a few departments and may face challenges when used in different institutions.
Participant Demographics
Healthcare professionals including surgeons and nurses from Duke University Medical Center.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website