What are "never-events" in the context of healthcare?

"Never-events" refer to serious errors in healthcare delivery that are both preventable and lead to significant patient harm. This definition emphasizes that these incidents should never occur if the proper protocols, procedures, and safeguards are in place to protect patients. Such events often include examples like wrong-site surgery, patient falls, and severe medication errors. The term aims to highlight the importance of maintaining high standards of care and accountability within healthcare systems, encouraging providers to adopt rigorous safety measures.

In contrast, the other choices do not fit the definition of "never-events." For example, requiring patient consent is a standard practice in healthcare but does not pertain to preventable errors; common surgical complications are generally expected outcomes and, while they can sometimes be serious, they are not categorized as never-events because they can occur despite adherence to best practices. Lastly, routine health check-ups and vaccinations are fundamental components of preventive healthcare and do not involve errors or significant harm in the context described by "never-events."