Below, you’ll find adverse and other patient safety events grouped into categories. Click on the most relevant category to see agency-by-agency descriptions of events that must be reported. This content is relevant to acute and non-acute hospitals licensed in Massachusetts.
Note that safety-related reporting requirements imposed
by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), MassHealth, or accrediting organizations are not included in the
information provided here. Click
here to learn more about what is and is not included in the Navigator. Psychiatric hospitals/hospital units may find additional reporting requirements associated with their license from the Department of Mental Health in the Mental Health section of the Navigator.
| Event Type | Description |
| Abuse or Neglect | Suspected patient abuse, neglect, mistreatment or misappropriation of property |
| Blood | Collection, administration, storage, handling, etc. of blood products |
| Criminal | Suspected/potential criminal activity (e.g. sexual assault, impersonation) |
| Device, Drug or Biologic | Defects, contamination, etc. of drug, biologic, device or similar product; errors in medication administration |
| Environmental | Gas mishaps, burns, electric shocks, restraints, metallic objects in MRI areas |
| Facility Emergency | Fires, labor actions, evacuations, etc. |
| Fall | Injuries associated with falls |
| Infection | Healthcare-associated and other infections |
| Obstetrical / Reproductive | Labor/delivery, artificial insemination, maternal deaths |
| Patient Protection | Failure to supervise, care for, or safely discharge a patient (e.g. elopement, suicide) |
| Pressure Ulcer | Certain serious pressure ulcers |
| Surgical or Invasive Procedure | Wrong patient, wrong site, wrong procedure, foreign object retention, etc. |
| Test Results | Failure to follow up with test results |
| Other | Choose this category if your event does not appear to fit elsewhere. |
| Event Type | Description |
| Automated Data Collection | Quality indicators for care reimbursement and research |
| CMS and MassHealth | Broad overview and links to resources related to conditions of coverage and participation in these programs |
| Communicable Disease or Unusual Illness | Communicable disease, unusual illness, or other health condition of public concern |
| Disciplinary Action Taken Against a Physician | Professional review action, clinical privilege suspension, or other disciplinary action taken by a facility against a physician |
| Drug Diversion | Loss or theft of controlled substances |
| Influenza Vaccination Rate | Vaccination against influenza by health care personnel at your facility |
| Physician Misconduct | Fraudulent practice of medicine, prescription violations, gross negligence, sexual misconduct or other misconduct by a licensed physician |
