Scale of mishaps revealed in private sector

Serious reported patient safety incidents involving insured or self-pay patients in private acute care totalled 21 last year, according to Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) data.

Figures for calendar year 2019 show the following ‘Never Events’: 

 5 episodes of wrong site surgery; 

 11 wrong implants/prostheses;

 2 retained foreign objects post-procedure; 

 1 mis-selection of a strong potassium solution; 

 2 administrations of medication by the wrong route.

This is the first time such information has been published in the UK.