What defining characteristic typifies near-miss events in healthcare?

Near-miss events in healthcare are defined by their potential to harm patients without actually causing any injury or harm. Specifically, these events are incidents that could have resulted in patient harm but were caught before any adverse effects could occur. The defining feature of a near-miss is that it does not reach the patient and therefore does not result in actual harm, making it critical for healthcare organizations to analyze these events closely in order to improve patient safety and prevent future occurrences.

Understanding near-miss events helps healthcare professionals identify vulnerabilities in their systems, practices, or processes that could lead to actual harm if not addressed. Addressing these near-misses is essential in fostering a safety culture and implementing preventive measures that enhance the quality of care.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of near-miss events. For instance, defining them by their result in injury or harm does not align with their fundamental nature, as they are, by definition, incidents that avoid causing actual harm. Additionally, while staff errors can be a contributing factor, they are not the sole separator of near-miss events, focusing instead on the circumstances surrounding the event rather than characterizing them. Lastly, near-misses do not inherently lead to severe complications, as they generally signify a failure that