Category | Explanation |
A | Circumstances or events that have the capacity to cause error |
B | An error occurred but the error did not reach the patient (An “error of omission” does reach the patient) |
C | An error occurred that reached the patient but did not cause patient harm |
D | An error occurred that reached the patient and required monitoring to confirm that it resulted in no harm to the patient and/or required intervention to preclude harm |
E | An error occurred that may have contributed to or resulted in temporary harm to the patient and required intervention |
F | An error occurred that may have contributed to or resulted in temporary harm to the patient and required initial or prolonged hospitalization |
G | An error occurred that may have contributed to or resulted in permanent patient harm |
H | An error occurred that required intervention necessary to sustain life |
I | An error occurred that may have contributed to or resulted in the patient's death |
Definitions | Explanation |
Harm | Impairment of the physical, emotional, or psychological function or structure of the body and/or pain resulting therefrom |
Monitoring | To observe or record relevant physiological or psychological signs |
Intervention | May include change in therapy or active medical/surgical treatment |
Intervention necessary to sustain life | Includes cardiovascular and respiratory support (e.g., CPR, defibrillation, intubation, etc.) |
© 2001 National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. All Rights Reserved.