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Gauteng public hospitals had 7143 Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) last year, up from 6910 SAEs in 2021 and 4701 SAEs in 2020.

This is revealed by Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

A SAE is defined as an event that results in an unintended harm to the patient by an act of commission or omission rather than the underlying disease or condition of the patient.

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital had the highest number of SAEs (1191), followed by Steve Biko Hospital with 528 SEAs, George Mukhari Hospital with 499 SAEs, Leratong Hospital with 480 SAEs, and the Helen Joseph and Kalafong hospitals with 477 SEAs each.

Other hospitals with high SAEs include the following:

• Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital - 409 SAEs
• Tembisa Hospital - 408 SAEs
• Weskoppies Hospital - 374 SAEs
• Pholosong Hospital - 294 SAEs
• Thelle Mogoerane Hospital- 262 SAEs
• Rahima Moosa Hospital - 206 SAEs
• Bheki Mlangeni Hospital - 113 SAEs

While hospitals with more patients can be expected to have more SAEs, certain hospitals seem to have disproportionately high SAEs - this includes the Chris Hani Baragwanath, Leratong and Weskoppies hospitals.

According to the MEC, the circumstances of the injury or death are classified as follows:

• Clinical administration

• Clinical process/procedure

• Healthcare associated infections

• Medication/intravenous fluids

• Blood or blood products

• Medical device/equipment

• Behaviour

• Patient accident

• Pressure ulcers acquired during or after

• Clinical structure/building and fixtures

• Laboratory pathology, and

• Others

Furthermore:

“All serious adverse event cases identified in all facilities are reported within 24 hours of occurrence, immediately investigated, presented to the facility patient safety Incident committee and mortality and morbidity meeting or subjected to clinical review depending on the severity, develop a Quality Improvement to address the gaps identified.”

It is distressing that SAEs continue to increase, leading to injury or death to many patients, as well as soaring claims for medical negligence.

Our hospitals need better management, adequate staff and equipment, proper training, and consequences for non-performance.

Issued by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health