Table 1.

NCC MERP Index adapted for categorizing events discussed in the M&MC^15,17.

Category	Description	Level of Harm
A	An event that has the capacity to cause error.	No harm
B	An event occurred, but did not reach the patient^*.	No harm
C	An event occurred that reached the patient, but did not cause harm.	No harm
D	An event occurred that reached the patient and required monitoring to confirm that it resulted in no harm to the patient and/or required intervention to preclude harm.	No harm
E	An event occurred that may have contributed to or resulted in temporary harm and required intervention.	Harm
F	An event occurred that may have contributed to or resulted in temporary harm to the patient and required initial or prolonged hospitalization.	Harm
G	An event occurred that may have contributed to or resulted in patient harm.	Harm
H	An event occurred that required intervention necessary to sustain life.	Harm
I	An event occurred that may have contributed to or resulted in the patient’s death.	Death

Harm: Impairment of the physical, emotional, or psychological function or structure of the body and/or pain resulting therefrom. Monitoring: To observe or record relevant physiological or psychological signs. Intervention: May include change in therapy or active medical/surgical treatment. Intervention necessary to sustain life: Includes cardiovascular and respiratory support (e.g., CPR, defibrillation, intubation, etc.).
↵* Note: An error of omission reaches the patient. NCC MERP: National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention; M&MC: Morbidity and Mortality Conference. Adapted from McDonnell C, et al. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2010;36:117–25; with permission.