Question

Which of the following is included in the IHI Global Trigger Tool definition of harm?

a) Adverse drug events
b) Patient falls
c) Hospital-acquired infections
d) All of the above

Answer 1

The IHI Global Trigger Tool includes adverse drug events, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections in its definition of harm. These can occur due to various reasons, such as medication errors, inadequate safety measures, and improper sterilization in hospitals, highlighting the need for diligent care practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

The IHI Global Trigger Tool defines harm as events that result in unintended harm to the patient from the care that is delivered, and these can include a wide range of incidences. Answering the student's question, the IHI Global Trigger Tool's definition of harm includes adverse drug events, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections. Each of these represents a type of harm that can occur within a healthcare setting. For example, patient falls can lead to physical injuries, adverse drug events can result from medication errors or negative interactions, and hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections, are diseases that patients acquire while receiving treatment for other conditions.

Nosocomial infections can be serious as many hospital patients may already have weakened immune systems, and the prevalence of antibiotics can lead to drug-resistant bacteria. The example of necrotizing fasciitis becoming contracted after a skin wound treatment due to contaminated dressings is a testament to how crucial it is that healthcare settings maintain high standards for sterilization and hygiene.