The objectives of this study were to: 1. Summarize the scope and quality of published studies on the economic burden of adverse events in the acute care setting; 2. Summarize the scope and quality of published comparative economic evaluations (cost effectiveness analyses) of patient safety improvement strategies in the acute care setting; 3. Estimate the economic burden of adverse events on the Canadian acute care system; 4. Provide a framework and guidelines for performing economic burden studies and comparative economic evaluations (cost effectiveness analyses) in patient safety--p. 1.