Key Words / Phrases
HIE = harmful iatrogenic effect; A/PI = avoidable / preventable iatrogenesis; A/PII = avoidable / preventable iatrogenic injury; IPC = infection prevention & control; HAI = healthcare- / hospital-acquired infection; Nosocomial = originating / taking place in a hospital / acquired in a hospital, especially in reference to an infection
Iatrogenesis (from the Greek for "brought forth by the healer") refers to any effect on a person, resulting from any activity of one or more other persons acting as healthcare professionals or promoting products or services as beneficial to health, which does not support a goal of the person affected. Consensus limits use of the term 'iatrogenesis' to adverse effects, including (in the broadest sense) all adverse unforeseen outcomes as well as foreseen outcomes from medication or other medical treatment or intervention. Some iatrogenic effects are clearly defined & easily recognized, such as a complication following a surgical procedure (eg: lymphedema as a result of breast cancer surgery); less obvious ones, such as complex drug interactions, may require significant investigation to identify.
Unlike what is referred to as an 'adverse event', an iatrogenic event is not always harmful, eg: a scar created by surgery is said to be iatrogenic even though it does not represent improper care & may not be troublesome. Or, anxiety or annoyance in the patient in relation to medical procedures or treatments from physician or treatment provider, which does not cause physical harm.
However, where an iatrogenic effect causes harm, it is referred to as a harmful iatrogenic effect (HIE), such as:
Unlike what is referred to as an 'adverse event', an iatrogenic event is not always harmful, eg: a scar created by surgery is said to be iatrogenic even though it does not represent improper care & may not be troublesome. Or, anxiety or annoyance in the patient in relation to medical procedures or treatments from physician or treatment provider, which does not cause physical harm.
However, where an iatrogenic effect causes harm, it is referred to as a harmful iatrogenic effect (HIE), such as:
- complication(s) arising from medical procedure(s) or treatment(s)
- side effect(s) of possible drug reactions
- medical error(s)
- negligence
- use of contaminated instrument(s)
- unnecessary medical treatment resulting from a physician's decision
Professionals & trainees who may cause iatrogenic harm to patients include:
According to the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), 28,000 Canadians die from harmful iatrogenic effects annually; this category is the 3rd leading cause of death in Canada after cancer & heart disease. Because the number harmed is 3 to 5 times that number, it is staggering to learn that every 1 minute 18 seconds, a Canadian is subjected to a harmful iatrogenic effect. Globally, more than 20 million patients are subjected to a harmful iatrogenic effect annually.
- physicians (including medical residents)
- medical students
- pharmacists
- nurses
- dentists
- psychologists
- psychiatrists
- medical laboratory scientists
- therapists
According to the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), 28,000 Canadians die from harmful iatrogenic effects annually; this category is the 3rd leading cause of death in Canada after cancer & heart disease. Because the number harmed is 3 to 5 times that number, it is staggering to learn that every 1 minute 18 seconds, a Canadian is subjected to a harmful iatrogenic effect. Globally, more than 20 million patients are subjected to a harmful iatrogenic effect annually.