Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Practice Exam

What are near misses in a healthcare context?

1. Events that lead to serious injuries

2. Errors that reach the patient without causing harm

3. Opportunities that directly affect patient outcomes

4. Events that are not documented in patient records

The correct answer is: Errors that reach the patient without causing harm

In a healthcare context, near misses refer to errors that reach the patient but do not result in any harm. This definition is crucial because it emphasizes the importance of identifying and understanding incidents that could have potentially caused harm but did not due to chance, prevention measures, or other factors. Recognizing these near misses is vital for improving safety protocols and preventing future incidents. By analyzing near misses, healthcare providers can glean insights into weaknesses in the system and develop strategies to mitigate risks, ultimately improving patient safety. This proactive approach focuses on learning from errors that might not have led to adverse outcomes this time, but could potentially do so in the future if the underlying issues are not addressed. The other options describe different types of events or outcomes that are not aligned with the established definition of near misses. Events leading to serious injuries refer to actual harm caused, while opportunities that directly affect patient outcomes would pertain to interventions or changes that result in a definitive improvement in care. Additionally, events not documented in patient records highlight a different aspect of patient safety and quality management regarding accountability and recordkeeping.