Never Events (Never Event (NQF)

“Never Event” was introduced by Ken Kizer, MD, former CEO of the National Quality Forum (NQF) in 2001 particularly referencing to shocking medical errors such as the wrong-site surgery which should have never occurred (Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, n.d.). American Sentinel University states that the NQF defines never events as “any serious reportable event” (2013). As of 2011, there are 29 events that are grouped into 6 categories: surgical, product or device, patient protection, care management, environmental, radiologic, and criminal (Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, n.d.). These never events should not occur, but can cause serious disability or death, and are usually preventable. Never Events are reported to the public and by having the goal for increasing accountability and improving the quality of care given to the patients. Since the NQF disseminated its original Never Events list …show more content…
According to the Joint Commission, patient falls is one of the most frequent reported event, 6.3% (2010). CMS will no longer reimburse hospitals when a patient sustains injury from a fall during their stay. The hospital will have to absorb the cost from the fall thus giving the hospital a negative indicator. This will make hospitals more aware that patient safety is a priority and that there the emphasis of fall prevention. While the worst-case scenario would be the nonpayment for events that are not universally preventable could possibly reduce access to care (American Sentinel University , 2013). What if hospitals begin turning away patients that have a high risk for fall? The high risk would include the elderly, especially Alzheimer’s, stroke patients who have balance problems, or the ones that are taking certain medications that could affect them physically. As part of the health care team, all patients are welcome and should not be turned away due to high risk for