Hospitalized children with medical complexity (CMC) are at high risk of medical errors. Their families are an underutilized source of hospital safety data. This study from HIP Investigator Dr. Elizabeth Cox evaluated safety concerns from families of hospitalized CMC and patient/parent characteristics associated with family safety concerns. They conducted a 12-month prospective cohort study of English- and Spanish-speaking parents/staff of hospitalized CMC on 5 units caring for complex care patients at a tertiary care children’s hospital.
A total of 155 parents and 214 staff completed surveys. They found that although parents of CMC were infrequently advised about how to report safety concerns, they frequently identified medical errors during hospitalization. Hospitals should provide clear mechanisms for families, particularly of CMC and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to share safety concerns
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