How is an 'adverse event' defined in healthcare settings?

The definition of an 'adverse event' in healthcare settings focuses on incidents that result in harm to a patient as a consequence of medical care or the absence of appropriate care. This aligns with the broader understanding of patient safety, which emphasizes that any unintended injury resulting from medical management, rather than the underlying condition, is classified as an adverse event.

In this context, the recognition of such events is critical for improving healthcare quality and patient safety. It allows healthcare providers to analyze root causes, develop strategies to prevent recurrence, and enhance the overall level of care delivered.

The other options do not align with the definition of an adverse event. Satisfaction with care relates more to patient experience rather than harm, standard procedures refer to established protocols aimed at ensuring safety and consistency, and a review of outcomes indicating improvement speaks to positive performance rather than incidents of harm. Thus, only the definition that highlights harm resulting from care is appropriate for describing an adverse event.