Frequency of adverse events and mortality in patients with pleural empyema in a public referral hospital in Mexico City

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2010 Sep;14(9):1187-92.

Abstract

Setting: Adverse events (AEs) that occur during medical treatment are a public health problem.

Objective: 1) To measure the prevalence of AEs, 2) to characterize those that occur in patients diagnosed with empyema and 3) to analyze the mortality rate associated with the presence of empyema.

Design: Retrospective case series based on a review of files of patient diagnosed with empyema.

Results: A total of 347 files were assessed, reporting 96.6% of the total number of patients diagnosed with empyema in that period. There were 176 AEs reported for 150 of the patients. The frequency of at least one AE was 43%, with prolonged hospitalization being the most frequent condition. In these cases, 97% of the AEs were considered preventable. Intrahospital mortality was 4.8%, with age (HR for every 5 years 1.21, 95%CI 1.08-1.35, P < 0.001) and the presence of diabetes mellitus (HR 2.26, 95%CI 1.0-5.0, P = 0.04) being significant associated factors.

Conclusion: There was a high frequency of AEs in patients with empyema, but most were considered preventable, especially the length of hospitalization, which could be reduced through timely surgery.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • Empyema, Pleural / mortality
  • Empyema, Pleural / therapy*
  • Female
  • Hospital Mortality*
  • Hospitals, Public / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult