The Error in Physical Therapy: an hypothesis of Classification

“THE ERROR IN PHYSICAL THERAPY: AN HYPOTHESIS OF CLASSIFICATION” Abstract. Objectives This study aims to propose an hypothesis of classification of the error in physical therapy as a result from the analysis of the adverse events pointed out by physical therapists and the complaints of citizens who got rehabilitation services. Its target is to evaluate the acceptability of the same classification model and the method used to elaborate it too. Method We asked to physical therapists of 19 rehabilitation centres to write on diaries all the adverse events that might be avoided, occurred during their daily job; reports by patients who got rehabilitation services in five local health authorities of Emilia-Romagna region in 2005 were gathered. All the events and the complaints have been gathered in an only document and then divided into cathegories, on the basis of what appears in the medical literature. Validity and acceptability of the classification were tested with a questionnaire sent to physical therapists involved in writing adverse events and with telephonic interviews to responsibles of public relation offices in local health authorities. Results 165 adverse events and 30 reports by citizens were gathered; from them we wrote a classification model that was considered acceptable by physical therapists. Conclusions A valid and acceptable classification model of the adverse events may promote in physical therapists the culture of learning by errors and to carry out both a quality improvement of rehabilitation interventions and a real safety for patients.