Abstract

CAMPOS CASTILLO, Carlos; HURTADO LOPEZ, Luis Mauricio; BASURTO KUBA, Erich  and  ZADIVAR RAMIREZ, Rafael. Prevention of complaints and claims by applying the Safety Guidelines to the surgical patient. Cir. gen [online]. 2011, vol.33, n.3, pp.170-174. ISSN 1405-0099.

Objective: To demonstrate whether complying with the ''International Safety Guidelines for the Patient'' can decrease the frequency of complaints and/or claims. Setting: General Hospital of Mexico. Design: Observational, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Statistical analysis: Percentages as summary measure for qualitative variables. Material and methods: We evaluated the complaints and claims related to the general surgery service and handled by the legal department from January 2008 to October 2009 that required expert advice from a third arbitrator, and which occurred before applying the International Safety Guidelines for the Patient. We assessed the specific cause of the complaints and whether these could have or not been prevented by applying the Safety Guidelines. Results: During the studied period, eight third arbitrator revisions were required related to general surgery. If the Safety Guidelines had been applied, 50% of the complaints could have been avoided. The fourth guideline that warrants that surgery be performed in the right place, use of the correct procedure, and the correct patient stands out above the other guidelines in cases related to general surgery to avoid complaints. Conclusion: Adequate application of the International Safety Guidelines for the Patient is instrumental in detecting failures related to medical care.

Keywords : Patient safety; international safety guidelines; malpractice.

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