575 adverse events in 2013

Data obtained by the Washington Free Beacon through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) shows 575 “institutional disclosures of adverse events” at VA hospitals in fiscal year 2013. The term is used for reporting a serious mistake. The Veterans Health Administration ethics handbook states such disclosures are required when: 

an adverse event has occurred during the patient’s care that resulted in or is reasonably expected to result in death or serious injury.

Specifically, adverse events are defined by the department as:

untoward incidents, diagnostic or therapeutic misadventures, iatrogenic injuries, or other occurrences of harm or potential harm directly associated with care or services provided.