Landmark Study Reveals Cats at Higher Risk in Veterinary Safety Events, Highlights Anesthesia Errors

A new study analyzing over 64,000 incident reports from more than 2,200 veterinary clinics across the U.S. and Europe offers the most comprehensive look yet at patient safety in veterinary medicine—and the findings are prompting a call to action.

The research, published in JAVMA, found that while most patient safety events (PSEs) caused little or no harm, incidents involving anesthesia and sedation accounted for nearly a quarter of the most severe outcomes—including those resulting in major harm or death. And when it comes to species-specific risks, cats were significantly more likely than dogs to be involved in a reported safety event.

The Numbers Behind Veterinary Safety Risks

The two-year study was conducted by Mars Veterinary Health and Johns Hopkins University’s Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality. It examined voluntary safety event reports filed by veterinary professionals between January 2021 and December 2022.

Key takeaways:

  • 4 PSEs per 1,000 visits were reported across the data set

  • 33% of all incidents were related to patient handling (falls, escapes, etc.)

  • 26% involved medication errors

  • 11% were tied to anesthesia mishaps

  • 6.1% of all events caused major harm or death

  • Cats: 7.2 events per 1,000 visits (vs. ~5.5 for dogs)

  • Exotics: Low reporting numbers, but 3× more likely than dogs to suffer severe outcomes

Cats were disproportionately affected, a trend researchers attribute to their sensitivity to anesthesia, handling stress, and less predictable behavior during exams and procedures.

Veterinary Medicine Learns from Human Healthcare

Lead author Dr. Melinda Larson, medical quality director at BluePearl Pet Hospital, emphasized that the breadth of datain this study provides insights that smaller studies could not. The findings are also aligned with long-standing concerns in human medicine, including:

  • The value of checklists for anesthesia protocols

  • The effectiveness of closed-loop communication (e.g., read-backs for drug dosing)

  • The need for dedicated anesthetic monitors and species-specific protocols

Co-author Dr. Rochelle Low added, “Data-driven decisions are essential to target safety efforts and develop evidence-based solutions.” She noted that the high participation across multiple corporate networks and countries shows the veterinary profession is serious about quality improvement.

Call for Standardized Safety Reporting

One of the major conclusions of the study is the urgent need for consistent definitions in veterinary incident reporting. Terms like “near miss,” “harm,” and even “visit” vary between clinics, making comparisons and true benchmarking difficult.

Despite this, researchers underscore the value of reporting—even when harm doesn’t occur. In fact, one network with a policy requiring every team member to report one PSE per month saw the highest volume of reports—not due to more errors, but due to stronger participation.

Next Steps for Clinics

The study recommends several improvements:

  • Use anesthetic checklists and dedicated monitors for all sedated patients

  • Implement closed-loop drug administration protocols

  • Create feline-friendly handling systems

  • For exotic practices, post species-specific dosing guides at every treatment station

Importantly, clinics are encouraged to foster a non-punitive culture where staff feel safe and supported when reporting safety concerns.

FAQs: Veterinary Patient Safety Events

What is a patient safety event (PSE)?

A PSE is any actual or potential harm to an animal patient that occurs during veterinary care. These events are often reported voluntarily by staff and include everything from missed medications to anesthesia complications.

Why are cats more commonly involved in PSEs?

Cats are more sensitive to anesthesia, more prone to stress-related behaviors, and more difficult to handle safely during exams. These factors increase the risk of mishaps during procedures.

What types of events caused the most serious harm?

While most incidents were minor, anesthesia-related events accounted for nearly 25% of all major harm or fatal outcomes. Medication errors and handling mishaps were also leading causes.

How can veterinary teams reduce these events?

Recommended strategies include:

  • Standardized anesthesia protocols

  • Improved communication, especially during drug administration

  • Enhanced training in feline and exotic handling

  • Encouraging regular safety reporting among all staff

Are voluntary reporting systems reliable?

They are valuable for identifying trends and areas for improvement, but likely underrepresent the actual number of events due to underreporting. The culture of the clinic plays a major role in how often and honestly staff report mistakes or near misses.

Previous
Previous

MSU Awards Full Scholarships to 50 Incoming Students Across Multiple Disciplines

Next
Next

Sustainability in Veterinary Clinics Linked to Improved Staff Wellbeing and Climate Readiness