An event is defined as a never event when it is:

A never event is defined as a universally agreed-upon concept to avoid in healthcare settings, specifically referring to particularly shocking medical errors that should never occur. These events are significant in the field of healthcare because they indicate serious breaches in safety and quality of care.

Never events typically include incidents such as performing the wrong surgery, leaving instruments inside a patient after surgery, or administering the wrong blood type. Because these events can lead to severe patient harm and are entirely preventable, there is a strong consensus in the healthcare community that they must be avoided at all costs.

Identifying never events helps healthcare providers focus on quality improvement measures and foster a culture of safety, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and reduced liability risks. This understanding underscores the importance of rigorous adherence to protocols and checks designed to prevent such occurrences.