Term: Adverse Event

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2006-07-20

Definition:

An adverse event is an injury caused by medical management rather than by the underlying disease or condition of the patient. Adverse events may be avoidable, such as leaving a foreign object in a patient after a procedure, or unavoidable, such as an allergic reaction to medication administered for the first time.

References 

• Bruce S, Prior H, Katz A, Taylor M, Latosinsky S, Martens P, De Coster C, Brownell M, Soodeen R, Steinbach C. Application of Patient Safety Indicators in Manitoba: A First Look. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2006. [Report] [Summary] (View)