Measuring adverse events in pediatric inpatients with the Global Trigger Tool.

Introduction: The safety of inpatients is a priority in the health care system. The Global Trigger Tool seems to be suitable to estimate the incidence of adverse events (AE) in pediatric inpatients.

Objetives: To describe the incidence and categories of AE in pediatric inpatients using the Global Trigger Tool and to identify risk factors associated to their development.

Population And Methods: Retrospective study. Medical records of 200 patients hospitalized at Hospital Elizalde during 2013 were included. Outcome measures: number of AE/100 admissions and distribution of harm. A chi² test, Student´s t test and Pearson's correlation test were carried out. Significance level = p < 0.05.

Results: The study detected 289 triggers (1.4/patient); 52 AEs (26 AEs/100 patients, 95% CI: 20.4-32.5). There was at least one AE every 36 patients; 7 patients had more than one AE; 45 AEs were in the E and F categories (temporary harm). Medical care triggers were associated to AEs (OR 8.1; 95% CI: 3.7-17.3, p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between the number of triggers and the number of AEs per patient (R= 0.46; p < 0.001). Being hospitalized in a closed unit (OR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.2-6.5; p= 0.03) and a longer hospital stay were associated to AEs (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: An AE frequency of 26% was identified, and most AEs resulted in temporary harm. The presence of AEs was associated to hospitalization in a closed unit, longer hospital stay, higher number of triggers and general care triggers.