Hospitalisation is among the most common sequelae of harm in primary and ambulator)' care. The previous section identified that the majority of the direct costs stemming from safety lapses such as diagnostic error and ADEs generated by the need for hospitalisation. Consumption of hospital resources carries a direct cost - bed days and activity - and an opportunity cost - other admissions foregone (assuming hospitals are operating at high occupancy). This report defines patient safety in the primary and ambulatory setting as managing risks over extended periods of time.