Reporting and responding to hazards, near misses and adverse events
When harm occurs, patients will have clinical, psychological, and practical needs. Providing and receiving healthcare requires a trusting relationship between providers (employees & medical staff) and patients. To ensure that you can support and treat patients and their families with dignity, respect, compassion and empathy, IH Patient Safety has developed an infographic outlining the standard approach when responding to harm.
IH AK4000 Policy for Recognizing and Responding to Hazards, Near Misses and Adverse Events
All employees and medical staff are responsible to use the Patient Safety Learning System (PSLS) to report patient safety events to learn about and improve the quality and safety of patient care.
The PSLS is a provincial reporting system that enhances our capability to improve safety by capturing data and facilitating investigation and learning from hazards, near misses, and adverse events. Interior Health promotes a ‘just culture’ in which transparency, fairness, and appropriate accountability are considered as part of the focus on learning and improvement from these events.
PSLS reports are protected under section 51 of the B.C. Evidence Act. Medical staff can access the PSLS through IH Anywhere (our remote access solution). Once reported, the appropriate manager will be notified through PSLS of an event in their area.
Please access training and resources on the PSLS InsideNet page (requires Interior Health network access).
Witnessing or being involved in a patient safety event can cause intense emotional distress and create a lasting negative effect on the health and wellness of healthcare professionals.
After an event occurs, it is important to be compassionate and supportive of those involved by:
- Using a trauma-informed approach
- Avoiding making an assumption that a poor clinical outcome is the result of an error or poor judgment
- Avoiding making any premature or unsubstantiated remarks about professional competency
- Being aware of hindsight bias
- Following up with involved colleagues by offering support and referral to wellness programs as needed
Please note: A review needs to take place before there is any assignment of accountability to an individual, group or process.
When a patient has been harmed, is at risk of harm, or where care or monitoring needs to change as a result of an adverse event, disclosure by the provider is required.
You can find guidelines, algorithms, and access to coaching and training opportunities on the Disclosure InsideNet page (requires Interior Health network access).
Please contact IH Patient Safety (PatientSafety@interiorhealth.ca) to access 1:1 disclosure coaching and training.
Please note: Disclosure conversations must be documented in the health record.
IH Patient Safety (PatientSafety@interiorhealth.ca) can provide 1:1 support for medical staff managing events that result in serious harm or death. You may be invited to share your perspective of an event:
- through an interview with a Patient Care Quality & Safety Consultant, or
- by participating in a discussion as part of the serious adverse event review process
Please access guidelines and resources on the Adverse Event Response InsideNet page (requires Interior Health network access).
Section 51
Section 51 of the B.C. Evidence Act provides health care professionals with an opportunity to have open and honest conversations about the quality of care in hospitals without fear that the information can be used in civil litigation. It is intended to support quality improvement while contributing to a positive culture of safety within an organization.
Please access best practices, templates, information and resources on the Section 51 InsideNet page (requires Interior Health network access).
We’re honoured to announce that IH has been recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers, a distinction that celebrates organizations across the province.
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Tanis loves bringing people together in meaningful ways. She helps others use their skills, time and compassion to make a positive difference.
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At IH, there’s an opportunity for medical staff to advance their careers through the NAVIG8 Emerging Medical Leaders Program.
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Health Sciences Academy is a unique program that gives students an up-close look at health-care careers and an opportunity to learn from professionals.
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In the early years of life, particularly from birth to five years old, a child’s social and emotional development is just as vital as their physical growth.
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Sarah has dedicated most of her nursing career to serving families within the area, building relationships rooted in trust, humility, and deep respect.
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