THE QUALITY IN AUSTRALIAN HEALTH-CARE STUDY

A review of the medical records of over 14 000 admissions to 28 hospit als in New South Wales and South Australia revealed that 16.6% of thes e admissions were associated with an ''adverse event'', which resulted in disability or a longer hospital stay for the patient and was cause d by health care management; 51% of the adverse events were considered preventable In 77.1% the disability had resolved within 12 months, bu t in 13.7% the disability was permanent and in 4.9% the patient died.