What major issue do “never events” aim to address in healthcare?

"Never events" are a term used in healthcare to describe particularly serious incidents that should never occur during patient care because they are preventable. These events include errors such as performing surgery on the wrong site or leaving surgical instruments inside a patient after an operation. The primary goal of categorizing such occurrences as never events is to enhance patient safety by creating heightened awareness and robust strategies to prevent these serious incidents from happening in the first place.

Addressing never events is crucial for healthcare organizations as it fosters an environment of accountability and emphasizes the importance of implementing best practices and rigorous safety protocols. This focus ultimately aims to protect patients from harm and improve overall care quality, thereby reducing the incidence of such avoidable mistakes significantly.

While cost savings, unnecessary follow-up visits, and patient satisfaction ratings may be important aspects of healthcare delivery, the primary aim of addressing never events centers specifically on the prevention of serious, avoidable incidents. This emphasis on safety aligns with broader goals of patient well-being and trust in healthcare systems.