Logistic regression* modelled on all adverse events, preventable adverse events and nonpreventable adverse events
| Variable | Adverse events, % (n/N) | Unadjusted OR (95% CI) | Adjusted OR (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modelled on all adverse events | |||
| Hospital type | |||
| Academic pediatric centre | 10.2 (172/1692) | 3.31 (2.54 –4.53) | 2.98 (1.65–5.39) |
| Community hospital | 3.3 (65/1977) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Age group | |||
| 0–28 d | 5.7 (53/927) | 0.78 (0.54–1.13) | 0.91 (0.51–1.60) |
| 29–365 d | 6.9 (62/902) | 0.95 (0.66–1.35) | 0.93 (0.64–1.35) |
| 366 d–5 yr | 6.0 (54/900) | 0.82 (0.57–1.18) | 0.81 (0.56–1.17) |
| > 5–18 yr | 7.2 (68/940) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Taking prescription medication before admission† | |||
| One or more | 12.0 (28/234) | 2.10 (1.38–3.19) | 1.01 (0.62–1.65) |
| None | 6.1 (209/3435) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Using high-alert medications before admission‡ | |||
| One or more | 12.9 (38/295) | 2.36 (1.63–3.41) | 1.47 (1.02–2.13) |
| None | 5.9 (199/3374) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Device dependency before admission§ | |||
| One or more | 15.3 (20/131) | 2.76 (1.68–4.53) | 1.54 (1.01–2.35) |
| None | 6.5 (217/3321) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Complex chronic condition on admission¶ | |||
| One or more | 11.0 (55/500) | 2.03 (1.48–2.79) | 1.62 (1.13–2.33) |
| None | 5.7 (182/3169) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Modelled on preventable adverse events | |||
| Hospital type | |||
| Academic pediatric centre | 3.9 (66/1692) | 1.97 (1.32–2.93) | 1.92 (0.80–4.61) |
| Community hospital | 2.0 (40/1977) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Age group | |||
| 0–28 d | 2.4 (22/927) | 0.58 (0.34–0.98) | 0.60 (0.23–1.51) |
| 29–365 d | 2.4 (22/902) | 0.59 (0.35–1.01) | 0.59 (0.29–1.20) |
| 366 d–5 yr | 2.7 (24/900) | 0.65 (0.39–1.09) | 0.65 (0.34–1.23) |
| > 5 –18 yr | 4.0 (38/940) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Taking prescription medication before admission† | |||
| One or more | 4.7 (11/234) | 1.73 (0.92–3.28) | 1.35 (0.60–3.04) |
| None | 2.8 (95/3435) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Using high-alert medications before admission‡ | |||
| One or more | 3.4 (10/295) | 1.20 (0.62–2.32) | 0.71 (0.30–1.65) |
| None | 2.8 (96/3374) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Device dependency before admission§ | |||
| One or more | 5.3 (7/131) | 1.96 (0.89–4.31) | 1.53 (0.46–5.08) |
| None | 2.8 (99/3538) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Complex chronic condition on admission¶ | |||
| One or more | 3.6 (18/500) | 1.31 (0.78–2.19) | 1.12 (0.60–2.09) |
| None | 2.8 (88/3169) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Modelled on non-preventable adverse events | |||
| Type of hospital | |||
| Academic pediatric centre | 6.3 (106/1692) | 5.22 (3.36–8.11) | 4.39 (2.08–9.27) |
| Community hospital | 1.3 (25/1977) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Age group | |||
| 0–28 d | 3.3 (31/927) | 1.05 (0.63–1.75) | 1.37 (0.78–2.40) |
| 29–365 d | 4.4 (40/902) | 1.41 (0.87–2.28) | 1.38 (0.89–2.14) |
| 366 d–5 yr | 3.3 (30/900) | 1.05 (0.62–1.75) | 1.04 (0.63–1.73) |
| > 5–18 yr | 3.2 (30/940) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Taking prescription medication before admission† | |||
| One or more | 7.3 (17/234) | 2.28 (1.35–3.87) | 0.85 (0.47–1.54) |
| None | 3.3 (114/3435) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Use of high-alert medications before admission‡ | |||
| One or more | 9.5 (28/295) | 3.34 (2.15–5.15) | 2.17 (1.18–3.97) |
| None | 3.1 (103/3374) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Device dependency before admission§ | |||
| One or more | 9.9 (13/131) | 3.19 (1.75–5.83) | 1.51 (0.71–3.25) |
| None | 3.3 (118/3538) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Complex chronic condition on admission¶ | |||
| One or more | 7.4 (37/500) | 2.61 (1.76–3.87) | 1.98 (1.41–2.77) |
| None | 3.0 (94/3169) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
Note: CI = confidence interval, OR = odds ratio.
↵* The variables in the logistic regression model include type of hospital, age group, number and type of medications, dependency on a technological device (i.e., a device that, were it to fail or its use discontinued, would likely cause an adverse health consequence [e.g., a tracheostomy tube]), and presence of a complex chronic condition (i.e., a medical condition that lasts for 12 mo and involves several different organ systems or a single organ system requiring a high level of specialty care and admission to hospital [e.g. cystic fibrosis]). These criteria were applied to newborns if the medication, device or complex condition was prescribed, instituted or diagnosed within 24 h of birth.
↵† Medication of any kind prescribed before the index admission.
↵‡ Any of the following high-alert medications prescribed before admission: anticoagulant agents, antiepileptic agents, medication for gastroesophageal reflux, insulin, narcotics and/or vasoactive-cardiac medications.
↵§ Use of one or more of the following devices before admission: indwelling medication pump/nutritional support (enteral or parenteral), renal support (urinary catheter or dialysis), respiratory support (apnea monitor, home suction, pulse oximetry, tracheostomy, home oximetry), stoma care.
↵¶ Diagnosed before admission and representing children with complex chronic conditions in June 2008.