This information is for reference purposes only. It was current when produced and may now be outdated. Archive material is no longer maintained, and some links may not work. Persons with disabilities having difficulty accessing this information should contact us at: https://info.ahrq.gov. Let us know the nature of the problem, the Web address of what you want, and your contact information.
Please go to www.ahrq.gov for current information.
Table 2. Definitions of Adverse Events
SIR Classification |
A |
No therapy, no consequences. |
B |
Nominal therapy, observation, no consequences. |
A or B |
Minor events with insufficient information to distinguish as Class A or B. |
C |
Required therapy, minor prolongation of hospitalization (< 48 hours) or rehospitalization for < 48 hrs. |
D |
Major therapy, unplanned increase level of care, prolonged hospitalization (48 hours or longer) or rehospitalization for longer than 48 hrs. |
E |
Permanent adverse sequelae. |
F |
Death. |
Minor complications |
Class A, B. |
Major complications |
Classes C, D, E, F. |
ACOG Classification |
Febrile morbidity |
Occurrence of infection not present on admission or initiation of antibiotics > 24 hrs after surgery. |
Readmission |
Unplanned readmission within 14 days or admission after return visit to the emergency department for the same problem. |
Unintended surgery |
Unplanned removal, injury or repair of organ during operative procedure or unplanned return to operating room for surgery during the same admission. |
Hemorrhage |
Gynecologic surgery with 2 or more units of blood, post-operative hematocrit of < 24%, or post-operative hemoglobin concentration of < 8 g/dl. |
Life-threatening complications |
Cardiopulmonary arrest, resuscitation, unplanned admission to special (intensive) care unit, or death. |
Return to Document
5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857