Identifying Previously Undetected Harm: Piloting the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Global Trigger Tool in the Veterans Health Administration.

Background: Adverse event (AE) surveillance may be enhanced by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Global Trigger Tool (GTT). A pilot study of the GTT was conducted in one Veterans Health Administration (VA) facility to assess the rates, types, and harm of AEs detected and to examine the overlap in AE detection between the GTT and existing surveillance mechanisms.

Methods: GTT guidelines were followed and medical records were reviewed for 17 weeks of acute care hospitalizations.