Table 4.

Sample AEs by harm type, level 1 classification and severity

AE type	Level 1 classification	Severity	Case summary
Preventable AE	Clinical process/procedure	Transient disability	Patient with history of intravenous drug use admitted for right groin swelling. Patient experienced delays in definitive management of an abscess as a result of poor coordination of care including imaging and surgical care.
Non-preventable AE	Clinical process/procedure	Symptoms	Elderly patient with multiple comorbidities admitted for pneumonia. Patient developed hypotension because of hypovolemia secondary to ongoing diuretic use in the setting of diarrhoea.
Preventable AE	Healthcare-associated infection	Death	Frail elderly patient admitted for congestive heart failure. Patient died in hospital due to complications of Costridium difficile colitis.
Potential AE	Medication/intravenous fluid/biological	Nil	Elderly patient did not receive medications in hospital as a result of delay in sending medications from the hospital pharmacy.

AE, adverse event.