What Is A Never Event?
The NHS has a number of situations that they deem “never events”, these are situations that should never happen to a patient is if the correct guidance and practices are followed. However, sadly “never events” continue to occur. This term covers things such as performing treatment or surgery on the wrong patient and leaving items in someone during surgery. In total there are 15 different categories of mistakes deemed never events by the NHS.
15 Never Event Categories
- Wrong site surgery
- Wrong implant/prosthesis
- Retained foreign object post procedure
- Mis-selection of a strong potassium solution
- Administration of medication by the wrong route
- Overdose of insulin due to abbreviations or incorrect device
- Overdose of methotrexate for non-cancer treatment
- Mis-selection of high strength midazolam during conscious sedation
- Failure to install functional collapsible shower or curtain rails
- Falls from poorly restricted windows
- Chest or neck entrapment in bed rails
- Transfusion or transplantation of ABO-incompatible blood components or organs
- Misplaced naso- or oro-gastric tubes
- Scalding of patients
- Unintentional connection of a patient requiring oxygen to an air flowmeter
How Often Do Never Events Happen?
The NHS says never events are mostly preventable, however they do still happen every year. It's estimated by the NHS that around 500 never events occur every year.
The reason the NHS record never events, is not as a way to punish the individual, but to learn and improve on their service and practices. Although the NHS states this, the Care and Quality Commission has raised concerned that the number hasn't changed in years, and that practitioners are still not preventing the unpreventable. If you believe you have suffered a never event or actively know you have, then it's important you seek a medical negligence claim.
Why Do Never Events Occur?
If you've suffered from a never event, then you are probably wondering why they happen in the first place. It is important that they are reported immediately and an investigation is then carried out to determine what happened, why it happened, how it happened and what can be done to prevent it in the future. Any individual that has been involved with a never event will be informed and you will be given information about the investigation. Some of the most common reasons for never events happening are:
- Staff fatigue
- Inadequate training
- Interruptions
- Pressured performance targets
What Should I Do If I've Been Involved In A Never Event?
If you have been informed you have been involved in a never event or a loved one has, then you need to contact a solicitor immediately. You may be surprised to learn that the NHS do not automatically pay out compensation for never events or they might offer a nominal amount. You should never accept this without first taking advice from a solicitor like us. If you believe you have been involved in a “never event” like this do not hesitate to contact us and one of our team would be happy to go through things with you and advise you how best to pursue your claim for compensation.