An unexpected harm resulting from a justified action where the correct process was followed for the context in which the event occurred.

An incident in which a patient is harmed.

Enables patients and families to consider all the options they have in relation to their care and treatment, including alternatives to the course of treatment proposed.

The "blame" approach to medical error reflects the understanding that human perfection is unattainable.

Language and customs, as well as values, beliefs, behaviors, practices, institutions and the ways in which people communicate.

An incident that did not reach the patient

Impairment of structure or function of the body and/or any deleterious effect arising there from medical errors.

Result or consequence of an incident to a patient.

The spread of health care-associated infection in hospitals can be prevented by disposing of ties, hand cuffs, scarves etc from health care providers attire.

Any process or tool aimed at reducing a quality gap in systemic or organizational functions.

Damage to tissues caused by an agent or event

Collecting and analyzing information about an event that could have harmed or did harm a patient in a health-care setting

A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

As the patient safety discipline continues to evolve, preventable errors with the most reported fatalities should be the basis to prioritize patient safety initiatives.

To apply the best available evidence gained from a scientific method to clinical decision making.

Process of informing patients and their families of bad outcomes of treatment

The severity and duration of harm, and any treatment implications, that result from an incident.

A person who is the recipient of health care.

Wrong-site surgery: the primary factor that leads to errors relates to the fact that the medical team is busy and cannot conduct a safety check before beginning an operation

An infection that was neither present nor incubating at the time of patient’s admission, which normally manifests itself more than three nights after the patient’s admission to hospital.

Expression of dissatisfaction by a patient, family member or caregiver with the provision of health care.

Failure to carry out a planned action as intended or application of an incorrect plan.

The reduction of risk of unnecessary harm associated with health care to an acceptable minimum.

A sentinel event is usually an unexpected adverse event that should never be allowed to happen, involving death of a patient or serious physical or psychological injury

A culture that exhibits the following five high-level attributes that health-care professionals strive to operationalize through the implementation of strong safety management systems.