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<strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Reader information<br />

Reference<br />

NONCLIN/POL/2010/314<br />

Directorate<br />

Professions and Governance<br />

Document purpose To provide guidance to all staff on the process for the reporting<br />

and management of untoward incidents<br />

Version 1.0a<br />

Title<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Author/Nominated Lead<br />

Title plus contact details<br />

Kieran Colton – Head of Governance and Compliance<br />

Kieran.colton@nottscommunityhealth.nhs.uk<br />

Approval Date February 2010<br />

Approving Committee Quality & Risk Sub-Committee<br />

Review Date February 2013<br />

Groups/staff Consulted <strong>Policy</strong> Review Group, Risk Manager, Professions & Governance<br />

team & Quality and Risk Sub-committee<br />

Target audience All Staff<br />

Circulation list<br />

All Staff<br />

Associated documents Risk Management Strategy<br />

Serious Untoward <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Voicing Your Concerns (Whistle Blowing)<br />

Being Open<br />

Risk Assessment Procedure<br />

Superseded documents None<br />

Sponsoring Assistant Assistant Director of Professions and Governance<br />

Director


Contents<br />

Section<br />

Page<br />

1 Introduction 3<br />

2 Purpose 3<br />

3 Definitions 4<br />

4 Duties 5<br />

5 Communication and Notification 8<br />

6 <strong>Reporting</strong> to External Agencies 9<br />

7 How to Report an <strong>Incident</strong> or Near Miss 10<br />

8 <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> and Investigation 12<br />

9 Approval and Monitoring 12<br />

10 <strong>Learning</strong> and Sharing Safety Lessons 13<br />

11 Training 13<br />

12 Equality Impact Assessment 13<br />

13 Monitoring Compliance with the Document 14<br />

14 References 14<br />

15 Associated Documentation 15<br />

Appendices<br />

Appendix A How to Report an <strong>Incident</strong> or Near Miss (<strong>Reporting</strong> Procedure) 16<br />

Appendix B Risk Grading Matrix 20<br />

Appendix C List of External Stakeholders 22<br />

Appendix D Definitions of Serious Untoward <strong>Incident</strong>s (SUI’s) 23<br />

Appendix E Senior Manager On-Call Arrangements 25<br />

Appendix F Equality Impact Assessment Tool 26<br />

Appendix G Plan for Dissemination of Policies or Procedural Documents 27<br />

Appendix H Employee Record of Having Read the <strong>Policy</strong>/Procedure/Guidance 28


1 Introduction<br />

The effective reporting of patient safety and staff related incidents, accidents, near misses and<br />

hazards is an essential component to patient safety and quality improvement within<br />

Nottinghamshire Community <strong>Health</strong> (NCH). It is vital to the delivery of high quality, safe patient<br />

care and to facilitate organisational learning in preventing recurrence of adverse events.<br />

Effective reporting works to improve patient safety and the well being of staff and visitors to<br />

NCH premises.<br />

This document details the standard requirements for incident reporting. The <strong>Policy</strong> does not<br />

provide comprehensive details on <strong>Incident</strong> Investigation and Root Cause Analysis (RCA)<br />

processes used by NCH in the investigation of all incidents, including Serious Untoward<br />

<strong>Incident</strong>s (SUI’s). Further information on these processes is available in the<br />

<br />

<br />

Investigation of <strong>Incident</strong>s, Claims & Complaints <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Serious Untoward <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

The key principles and benefits of the organisations’ <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> <strong>Policy</strong> are to:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Safeguard patient care;<br />

Identify trends and potential risk areas for patient safety and quality<br />

improvement;<br />

Maximise organisational learning from the investigation of the incident;<br />

Ensure incidents, where required, are reported to relevant statutory agencies<br />

and external bodies;<br />

Develop a culture of reporting is nurtured through a fair blame approach to<br />

incident reporting and investigation; and<br />

Ensure damage to NCH’s reputation and assets is minimised.<br />

The over-riding purpose of incident reporting is to maximise learning from incidents<br />

and not to apportion inappropriate blame.<br />

Accurate and effective reporting can only occur in a non-punitive environment. <strong>Incident</strong>s are<br />

therefore managed positively as a way to increase patient safety and improve quality and will<br />

only imply the need for disciplinary action in exceptional circumstances, such as criminal,<br />

reckless or malicious acts and omissions, or gross professional misconduct. All staff are<br />

therefore required to report incidents and to be actively involved in their investigation in a<br />

climate of openness and shared learning.<br />

This <strong>Policy</strong> has been developed to ensure that NCH has procedures in place to meet Standard<br />

1.5.1 of the NHSLA Risk Management Standards for PCT’s dated April 2009/10 which<br />

describes the process for managing the risks associated with the reporting of all internally and<br />

externally reportable incidents.<br />

2 Purpose<br />

The purpose of this policy is to minimise injury or incident to all, by ensuring that any lessons<br />

learned from any accident, incident, near miss, disease or dangerous occurrence are acted on<br />

so that a similar recurrence is either avoided or the possibility of recurrence is reduced.<br />

It also ensures that required information is passed on to prescribed authorities and affected<br />

person(s) in a proper and prompt manner.


3 Definitions<br />

Accident: Anything that happens without apparent cause<br />

Breach of confidentiality which includes: Finding a computer printout with a header and a<br />

person’s information on it at location outside of any NCH premises/building. Finding any paper<br />

records about a patient/member of staff or business of the organisation in any location outside<br />

of the NCH premises/buildings. Being able to view patient records in the back (or front) of an<br />

employees car (e.g. Doctors and Nurses). Discussing, in person or on the phone, patient or<br />

staff personal information with someone else in an open area where the conversation can be<br />

overheard. A fax, email or letter being received by the incorrect recipient.<br />

Breach of Security:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Loss of computer equipment due to crime or an individual’s carelessness<br />

Loss of computer media e.g. floppy disc, CD due to an individual’s carelessness<br />

Accessing any part of a database using someone else’s authorisation either<br />

fraudulently or by accident<br />

Trying to access a secure part of the organisation using someone else’s PIN number,<br />

swipe card<br />

Finding the doors and/or windows have been broken and forced entry gained to a<br />

secure room/building<br />

Information Security <strong>Incident</strong>: any event that has resulted or could result in;<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

The disclosure of confidential information to any unauthorised person<br />

The integrity of the system or data being put at risk<br />

The availability of the system or information being put at risk<br />

An adverse impact e.g.<br />

o Embarrassment to the NHS<br />

o Threat to personal safety or privacy<br />

o Legal obligation or penalty<br />

o Financial loss<br />

o Disruption of activities<br />

Hazard: ‘a situation with the potential to cause harm or damage’<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Hazards are situations with the potential to cause harm or damage. They could include<br />

faulty equipment, worn or loose floor coverings, irritant chemicals etc.<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> Report Forms must be completed for all hazards<br />

Staff are responsible for not only completing the <strong>Incident</strong> Report Form but also taking<br />

reasonable steps at the time to minimise the risk of injury from the identified action<br />

Near Miss: ‘any patient safety incident that had the potential to cause harm but was<br />

prevented, resulting in no harm’<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

A Near Miss is when any incident that had the potential to cause harm but was<br />

prevented, resulting in no harm<br />

It is important Near Misses are reported to identify and effectively manage the risk of<br />

reoccurrence<br />

Research has shown that for every serious incident, there will have been many more<br />

similar Near Misses which were not reported because no harm resulted<br />

Page 4 of 28


Other incidents: Some incidents may impact on other parts of the NHS e.g. a computer virus<br />

and if this is the case the incident should be reported to the IT Helpdesk (01623 410310 Ext<br />

4040). All Information Security <strong>Incident</strong>s will be reported to the Risk Management Team.<br />

Other <strong>Incident</strong> Categories<br />

Patient safety incidents<br />

Accidental injuries<br />

Slips, Trips and Falls<br />

Work related ill-health<br />

Unusual or dangerous occurrences<br />

Medication errors<br />

Adverse drug reactions<br />

Patient safety incidents<br />

Missing health records<br />

Violence or damage to property<br />

Equipment failures<br />

Fraud etc.<br />

This list is not exhaustive but gives some examples of the wide range of adverse events that<br />

are categorised as reportable incidents.<br />

Patient Safety <strong>Incident</strong>: ‘an unintended or unexpected incident that did lead to harm for one<br />

or more persons receiving NHS-funded care’<br />

Reportable <strong>Incident</strong>s: any event which contains one or more of the following components:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Standards of patient care full below those expected to deliver good patient care<br />

An incident that places patients, staff or visitors at unnecessary risk<br />

An incident that may attract adverse legal or media attention<br />

There is risk or damage to property<br />

<strong>Reporting</strong> of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR<br />

95)<br />

A number of incidents and accidents must be reported to the <strong>Health</strong> and Safety Executive<br />

under the RIDDOR regulations as defined below:<br />

Dangerous Occurrences: A ‘dangerous occurrence’ is a term used in RIDDOR 95,<br />

which specifically denotes types of incidents that are reportable under these<br />

regulations<br />

Major Injury: RIDDOR regulations do not define a major injury; the list in Appendix A<br />

of the <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> Procedure identifies the types of injuries that are reportable<br />

Further details can be obtained from the RIDDOR web site: http://www.riddor.gov.uk/<br />

Serious Untoward <strong>Incident</strong>s (SUIs) involve the occurrence of the most serious incidents,<br />

examples include (See Appendix D and also Serious Untoward <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Policy</strong>)<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Significant harm<br />

Unexpected death<br />

Death directly related to an adverse event<br />

Substantial damage or loss to NCH assets<br />

Adverse media interest<br />

Death of a prisoner in receipt of care<br />

Page 5 of 28


Ward closure<br />

Child death<br />

Serious sexual assault<br />

Risk to NCH’s reputation; and Infection outbreaks<br />

Significant loss of confidential information or patient identifiable information<br />

Staff: ‘Staff, volunteers, students and sub-contractors working for Nottinghamshire<br />

Community <strong>Health</strong> and independent contractors commissioned by NCH.<br />

4 Duties<br />

Managing Director:<br />

<br />

The Managing Director has overall responsibility for risk management within NCH<br />

Assistant Directors/Associate Directors<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Ensure all staff in their Directorate are informed of the need to report incidents<br />

which arise out of the activities of the Directorate<br />

Ensure all directly employed staff understand the incident reporting system and<br />

receive feedback from incidents reported<br />

Ensure contractors and volunteers are aware of the <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Allocate sufficient resources (both financial and human) for incident investigation<br />

and follow up<br />

Ensure any recommendations made as a result of investigations are put into place<br />

Locality Service Managers/Heads of Service<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Ensure all staff, bank staff, agency workers and contractors under their control<br />

understand and follow this policy accordingly<br />

Ensure that all incidents within their sphere of responsibility are reported<br />

Grading all accidents as soon as possible in accordance with the Matrix in this<br />

policy. (See How to Report an <strong>Incident</strong> or Near Miss Appendix A)<br />

Liaise with Occupational <strong>Health</strong> team regarding any health issues related to the<br />

health of the injured person<br />

Report intentional assault on staff to the Risk Management Team; who will report to<br />

the Local Security Management Specialist (LSMS) Officer<br />

Ensure that all incidents classified as Major or above are reported immediately to<br />

the Risk Management Team based at Ransom Hall<br />

Ensure that all other incidents are reported to the Risk Management Team within<br />

24 hours of the incident occurring or 1 working day<br />

Undertake investigation as appropriate and completion of the manager’s action<br />

section of the incident report form and returned to the Risk Management team<br />

based at Ransom Hall within 2 weeks from the date of the incident.<br />

Ensure recommendations and actions are carried out as a result of any<br />

investigation<br />

Monitor information reported on the incident forms for accuracy and completeness<br />

Ensure that any procedures within their area take account of incidents which have<br />

been brought to their attention<br />

Ensure that serious incidents are brought to the immediate attention of their Line<br />

Manager or Assistant Director<br />

Where appropriate obtain witness statements<br />

Make safe any area or equipment following an accident and retaining equipment for<br />

inspection where required<br />

Page 6 of 28


Ensure that risk assessments are reviewed or carried out on all significant identified<br />

hazards and appropriate action plans put in place to reduce risks to an acceptable<br />

level. The results of those risk assessments must be communicated to all those<br />

who may be at risk<br />

Provide feedback to directly employed staff on trends, serious incidents, results of<br />

investigations, recommendations and any learning opportunities<br />

Risk Manager/<strong>Health</strong>, Safety & Risk Facilitator/Risk Management Team must:<br />

Collate, review and support managers with incidents reported<br />

Support local managers in the investigation process (to be decided case by case)<br />

on incidents<br />

Compile quarterly summary reports on incidents and review recorded incidents to<br />

identify trends<br />

Ensure that all reports are anonymised so that patients cannot be identified from<br />

them<br />

Bring any incidents or trends of particular importance or giving rise to immediate<br />

concern to the attention of the Assistant Director of Professions and Governance,<br />

Head of Governance & Compliance and/or the appropriate Assistant Director<br />

Ensure lessons learned are cascaded and embedded in practice. This will be done<br />

through discussion in team meetings, training, newsletter, posters and intranet<br />

Highlight NCH wide incident trends to the staff and Committees as required on a<br />

quarterly basis, or more frequently if required<br />

Ensure aggregated qualitative and quantitative data on incidents is produced within<br />

the quarterly incident reports. The qualitative data will include types and number of<br />

incidents, service affected, risk severity comparison with previous quarter<br />

Ensure that all reports do not contain any information that would allow the patient to<br />

be identified<br />

Ensure any risk discovered from trends and themes in the aggregated data is<br />

transferred into the appropriate risk register.<br />

Ensure the NCH audit program is informed of risks to enable adaptation to<br />

encompass auditing of learning within the agreed timeframe to ensure staff alter<br />

their practice in response to lessons learnt<br />

Ensure information related to NCH performance in relation to numbers of incidents<br />

and trend analysis are presented to the appropriate Committee, raise awareness of<br />

activity and to engage in the processes of organisation wide learning and<br />

development<br />

Ensure that lessons learnt from trend analysis result in a change in organisational<br />

culture and practice through a robust risk register process<br />

Ensure lessons learned are cascaded and embedded in practice. This will be done<br />

through discussion in team meetings, training, newsletter, posters and internet and<br />

the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA)<br />

<strong>Reporting</strong> of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995<br />

(RIDDOR) accidents/incidents to the <strong>Health</strong> and Safety Executive (HSE)<br />

Ensure that accidents/incidents are appropriately investigated, and where<br />

necessary remedial measures taken<br />

Maintain an appropriate filing system for hard copy incident report forms<br />

Produce collated reports on incidents for the <strong>Health</strong> and Safety Group<br />

Forward all incidents of intentional assault and verbal abuse to the Local Security<br />

Management Specialist (LSMS)<br />

Report details of patient related incidents to the NPSA under the National<br />

<strong>Reporting</strong> and <strong>Learning</strong> System (NRLS)<br />

Page 7 of 28


Report details of other incidents to the statutory agencies as necessary (See How<br />

to Report an <strong>Incident</strong> or Near Miss Appendix A)<br />

All Employees<br />

All employees (including placement students, sub-contractor staff, and volunteers) are<br />

responsible for:<br />

Verbally reporting all incidents and near misses (including violence and verbal<br />

abuse) to their manager as soon as possible<br />

Ensure that all reports of incidents which are categorised as Major or above are<br />

reported immediately to their Line Manager/Service Lead/Risk Management Team<br />

Completing the NCH <strong>Incident</strong> Report Form within 24 hours of the incident<br />

occurring, either by them or if incapacitated, by a nominee and fax to the Risk<br />

Management Team at Ransom Hall 01623 781747 and then hand original form to<br />

their line Manager<br />

Bringing to the attention of their manager or supervisor any incidents which<br />

resulted in, or had the potential to result in injury, loss or damage (i.e. near misses)<br />

Co-operating in any investigation and providing relevant information to assist in<br />

identifying the cause of the harm<br />

Immediate action must be taken to ensure the safety of staff, patients and other<br />

members of the public before an <strong>Incident</strong> Form is completed<br />

Role of the Quality & Risk Sub-Committee<br />

The NCH Managing Board has devolved to the Quality and Risk Sub-committee responsibility<br />

for risk management. The Terms of Reference for the Quality & Risk Sub-Committee<br />

(Q&RSC) are included in the Risk Management Strategy.<br />

The Q&RSC receives regular incident reports demonstrating trend analysis and any actions<br />

taken to mitigate the risks.<br />

The responsibility for the completion of action plans, developed in response to incidents record<br />

as Major or above, SUI’s incident investigations, and the effectiveness of any risk reduction<br />

measures will be reported to and co-ordinated by the Q&RSC with the support of the relevant<br />

service (Clinical or Corporate) or groups for specific incident types.<br />

5 Communication and Notification<br />

The Locality Service Manager/Head of Department/Senior Manager as appropriate has a<br />

responsibility to ensure that staff or other persons involved in the incident have received a full<br />

explanation and are made aware of any further implications concerning what has happened.<br />

Those involved in the incident should be kept up-to-date with progress on investigating the<br />

incident.<br />

Communication with and Support for Staff<br />

Nottinghamshire Community <strong>Health</strong> is committed to developing a culture which allows staff to<br />

raise concerns through appropriate channels, particularly in relation to patient safety. The<br />

systems and processes for reporting incidents and raising concerns will be clearly<br />

communicated to staff and staff will be proactively encouraged to raise concerns. Staff will<br />

also be advised of and have access to the <strong>Policy</strong> for Voicing Your Concerns (Whistle<br />

blowing). Although NCH would expect that this would only be required in exceptional<br />

circumstances as all senior managers will be responsible for ensuring staff have access to<br />

more appropriate routes.<br />

Page 8 of 28


Following a reported incident, regardless of severity level it is essential that the staff are:<br />

appropriately supported by line managers, involved in any subsequent investigation and<br />

advised of the investigation outcomes and recommended changes to practice.<br />

Communication with and Support for Victims, Perpetrators, Families and Carers<br />

Following an <strong>Incident</strong><br />

Nottinghamshire Community <strong>Health</strong> will expect that following any incident those involved in the<br />

incident both staff and patients will be offered information and support commensurate with the<br />

level of the incident.<br />

It is also important to ensure that where an incident has occurred involving a patient(s), the<br />

patient is kept informed as to the progress and outcome of any investigation and /or outcome.<br />

Subject to confidentiality provisions, family and carers should also be informed. Such<br />

communication should be clearly recorded within the incident record. Communication should<br />

be maintained with the patient /carer or family for as long as this is necessary.<br />

Communication with the patients and/or the relatives, staff or visitors may need to be both pre<br />

and post investigation dependant on the incident grading and investigation.<br />

Any information given to patients, staff or family and carers needs to be documented by the<br />

person who has provided the information in the incident record. This communication needs to<br />

follow the principles of ‘being open’ as described in the Being Open <strong>Policy</strong>.<br />

Media Involvement<br />

The Head of Department/Service has a responsibility to ensure that staff affected by or<br />

involved in an incident are informed before any media are involved. The investigating manager<br />

should work closely with the Head of Communications to ensure that this is guaranteed. It is<br />

also important that all staff ensure that no information is given to the media; all media<br />

requested must be referred immediately to their appropriate Assistant Director and/or the<br />

Head of Communications who are based at Ransom Hall.<br />

6. <strong>Reporting</strong> to External Agencies<br />

NHS Nottinghamshire County and East Midlands SHA<br />

All serious untoward incidents, both clinical and non-clinical will be reported via STEIS by the<br />

Head of Governance and Compliance.<br />

National <strong>Reporting</strong> <strong>Learning</strong> System (NRLS)<br />

All patient safety incidents for NCH will be reported, electronically via DATIX, to the NRLS by<br />

the Risk Manager. This contributes to national learning about patient safety. Reports will be<br />

received from the NRLS and distributed through the organisation, which can be used to<br />

benchmark incident reporting with other organisations and identify areas for improvement.<br />

<strong>Health</strong> and Safety Executive – RIDDOR<br />

The <strong>Reporting</strong> of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 came into<br />

force on 1st April 1996. NCH must report deaths, major injuries, and accidents resulting in<br />

over 3 day injury, diseases, dangerous occurrences and gas incidents. The Service<br />

Managers/Heads of Service/Team Leaders will carry out RIDDOR reporting, to the HSE, for<br />

NCH. When an incident has been identified as RIDDOR reportable, the <strong>Health</strong>, Safety & Risk<br />

Facilitator should be notified as soon as possible. In serious incidents resulting in major injury<br />

Page 9 of 28


or death, the <strong>Health</strong> and Safety Executive need to be alerted immediately<br />

(www.riddor.gov.uk). Outside of normal working hours the senior manager on-call should do<br />

this. If there is an accident connected with work (including an act of physical violence)<br />

resulting in an employee suffering an over-three-day injury it must be reported in compliance<br />

with the above regulations within 10 days. An over-3-day injury is one which is not ‘major’ but<br />

results in the injured person being away from work OR unable to do their full range of their<br />

normal duties for more than three days. It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure that<br />

the <strong>Health</strong>, Safety & Risk Facilitator is contacted within 24 hours.<br />

The <strong>Health</strong> and Safety Executive will require the following information: -<br />

Date and time of incident<br />

Location of incident<br />

Name, home address, gender and status of persons involved / affected<br />

Details of any injuries<br />

Confirmation as to whether the situation is under control or whether assistance<br />

is required<br />

Brief outline of the circumstances of the incident<br />

Details of any witnesses.<br />

Medicines and <strong>Health</strong>care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)<br />

Where a serious incident involves a medical device the NCH nominated liaison officer with the<br />

Medicines and <strong>Health</strong>care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) must be contacted within 24<br />

hours. The liaison officer for NCH is the <strong>Health</strong>, Safety and Risk Facilitator. An appropriate<br />

senior manager will be responsible for ensuring that the material evidence is labelled and kept<br />

secure. The Senior Medicines Management Advisor will report adverse reactions to<br />

medication to the MHRA.<br />

Communicable Diseases<br />

The Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (<strong>Health</strong> Protection Agency) should be<br />

contacted in the event of an infectious disease outbreak defined as two or more cases<br />

connected by time and place and any serious single infection with public health implications.<br />

The most senior manager on duty should notify the HPA as soon as an outbreak has been<br />

identified.<br />

Other External Agencies<br />

A list of other external agencies to which incidents and near misses may require reporting to<br />

are set out in Appendix C. <strong>Reporting</strong> to these agencies will be undertaken by the Risk<br />

Manager with support from the Risk Management Team and relevant information provided<br />

from service teams.<br />

7. How to Report an <strong>Incident</strong> or Near Miss<br />

All incidents and near misses should be reported to the line manager as soon as possible after<br />

the event. If the line manager is not available report to the next available senior member of<br />

staff.<br />

Out of hours contact the Senior Manager on call by telephoning 0115 934 3236 (See Appendix<br />

E –Senior Manager On-Call Arrangements)<br />

All incidents, near misses and serious untoward incidents must also be recorded on the NCH<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> Report Form which are available in all departments and clinical areas within the<br />

Page 10 of 28


<strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> Folders (a complete list of all the locations is available on the NCH Intranet<br />

site).<br />

Wherever possible the <strong>Incident</strong> Report form should be completed and faxed to the Risk<br />

Management Team at Ransom Hall (Save Haven Fax 01623 781747) immediately or as a<br />

minimum within 24 hours of the incident occurring. The original <strong>Incident</strong> Report (Part 1)<br />

and Part 2 should be sent immediately to their Line Manager for grading and further<br />

investigation (See also Appendix A).<br />

The person involved in or identifying the incident should complete the incident report.<br />

In instances where a member of staff is unable to complete the form due to illness or injury,<br />

the senior person on duty should complete the incident report form.<br />

Where an incident results in an absence from work of more than three consecutive days<br />

(excluding the day of the incident, but including week-ends, bank holidays or days off) then the<br />

Line Manager must notify the <strong>Health</strong>, Safety & Risk Facilitator as soon as possible, in order<br />

that the <strong>Health</strong> and Safety Executive can be informed within ten days of the accident or<br />

incident. This is a legal requirement under RIDDOR.<br />

Describing the <strong>Incident</strong> or Near Miss<br />

A description of the <strong>Incident</strong> or Near Miss should include:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

a full, clear and accurate description of the incident and relevant circumstances<br />

recording facts and not subjective opinions<br />

an outline of what was happening immediately prior to the incident occurring and<br />

the exact location of the incident<br />

a clear description of any relevant equipment involved, including asset inventory<br />

ref. serial number, make, model etc<br />

environmental details such as weather and lighting where relevant, and details of<br />

any protective equipment, clothing or footwear<br />

sketch(s)/or photographs should be attached if it assists in making the report<br />

clearer<br />

details of the identity of any witnesses to the event.<br />

Special Actions Relating to Serious Untoward <strong>Incident</strong>s:<br />

In addition to reading this section all staff should make themselves aware of the<br />

Serious Untoward <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

<strong>Reporting</strong> Process in Hours<br />

Where it becomes apparent that the incident is serious (Appendix D gives examples of<br />

incidents that should be reported as a SUI) it must be reported immediately to the appropriate<br />

Assistant Director/General Manager/Head of Governance & Compliance in addition to<br />

completion of the usual incident report form.<br />

The SUI lead (Assistant Director of Professions and Governance) must also be informed and<br />

is responsible for ensuring that the incident is reported on the STEIS system (Strategic<br />

Executive information System ) within 24 hours.<br />

Page 11 of 28


Out of Hours<br />

If the incident has occurred out of hours telephone the call handling service on 0115 934 3236<br />

who will notify the Senior Manager on call. (See Appendix E)<br />

8. <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> and Investigating<br />

The timely reporting and investigating of incidents is essential in order to improve patient<br />

safety. Through the identification of actual or potential (near miss) incidents, the subsequent<br />

investigation to identify what, how and why it happened and the implementation of change<br />

should reduce or prevent the recurrence of similar incidents. The process for reporting and<br />

investigating incidents will vary depending on the severity of the incident, the details of which<br />

are provided in the NCH Guidance Document for the Investigation of Complaints, <strong>Incident</strong>s<br />

and Claims.<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> Grading and Appropriate Levels of Investigations<br />

All incidents should be graded using the grading matrix set out on Appendix B of this<br />

document. The basic principle is to multiply the consequence by the likelihood. The resulting<br />

number is the risk grade.<br />

Level of Investigation<br />

The level of investigation is dependent on the outcome of the risk grade of the incident.<br />

Level of risk<br />

Risk score 0 to 10<br />

Level of Investigation<br />

Investigated by service with advice and guidance from Risk<br />

Management Team and includes outcome on Part 2 of the<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> report form<br />

12 to 20 Investigated by Service with direct input and review by Risk<br />

Management Team – outcome record on Part 2 of the <strong>Incident</strong><br />

Report Form.<br />

Mangers should adopt the Investigation tools identified within the<br />

document “Guidance on Conducting Investigations of Complaints,<br />

<strong>Incident</strong>s and Claims”<br />

SUI’s<br />

Some incidents graded between 16 and 25 will require a more<br />

detailed report. Guidance should be sought from the Risk<br />

Management Team<br />

Investigated in line with the Serious Untoward <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

9. Approval and Monitoring<br />

To ensure appropriate change is made to reduce the likelihood of an incident recurring there<br />

needs to be a system for the approval and monitoring of action plans. It is expected that<br />

remedial action will be taken in response to all incidents and near misses but that the level of<br />

approval and monitoring will be dependent upon the severity. All incidents with a severity<br />

rating below Major will have their actions plans/learning points agreed locally and with<br />

appropriate input from the NCH Risk Management team. Those plans will then be monitored<br />

through the DATIX risk management system by the NCH Risk Management Team.<br />

Page 12 of 28


All Action Plans relating to incidents or near misses grade Major or above will be approved<br />

and monitored by the Q&RSC.<br />

10. <strong>Learning</strong> and Sharing Safety Lessons<br />

The reporting, reviewing, investigating and acting upon incidents is critical to the delivery of<br />

safe and effective services. This is essential for all incident types ranging from near misses to<br />

serious untoward incidents. To ensure that NCH learns lessons from reported incidents the<br />

following will be undertaken -<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Analysis of trends emerging from high numbers of incidents involving either a<br />

specific type of incident, an individual member of staff, a individual patient or<br />

particular service.<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> review which will incorporate a root cause analysis of all incidents<br />

classified as Catastrophic or a SUI.<br />

Analysis of all reported incidents quarterly.<br />

The <strong>Learning</strong> Form Patient Experience Group will review the learning form a variety<br />

of sources such as <strong>Incident</strong>s, Complaints, Claims, Patient Experience and<br />

identified good practice. Such learning and good practice will be shared via team<br />

meetings, training events, newsletters and the usual service structures.<br />

Lessons requiring instant dissemination will be cascaded through the NCH Safety<br />

Alert Broadcast System.<br />

Improvement will be monitored via the Q&RSC.<br />

The reporting of incident analysis and lessons learnt to Managing Board will be through the<br />

Q&RSC and the Governance Committee following analysis by the various relevant working<br />

groups.<br />

11. Training<br />

Nottinghamshire Community <strong>Health</strong> will ensure that all staff will have access to induction and<br />

ongoing training in the reporting and handling of <strong>Incident</strong> Report and investigation.<br />

Staff Group Type Frequency<br />

All Staff Groups<br />

General Risk Management<br />

including <strong>Incident</strong> Reports,<br />

Induction<br />

3 years<br />

General Principles Risk<br />

Assessment<br />

Band 6 and above<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> Investigation and Managers Induction<br />

Associates/Directors<br />

General Managers<br />

Service Managers<br />

Governance 6 and above<br />

Band 8 and above<br />

Governance Team and<br />

where required Role Specific<br />

Risk Assessment<br />

SUI Investigation<br />

(Including learning<br />

lessons)<br />

Risk Management<br />

Risk Register/Assurance<br />

Framework<br />

Risk Management<br />

DATIX<br />

NRLS<br />

STEIS<br />

3 years<br />

3 years<br />

3 years<br />

2 years<br />

12. Equality Impact Assessment<br />

Page 13 of 28


Nottinghamshire Community <strong>Health</strong> aims to design and implement services, policies and<br />

clinical/non clinical procedures with measures that meet the diverse needs of our service,<br />

population and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others.<br />

All policies and clinical/non clinical procedures should be developed in line with the NHS Notts<br />

County Equality and Diversity <strong>Policy</strong> (2008), and need to take into account the diverse needs<br />

of the community that is served. The Equality Impact Assessment tool is designed to help<br />

consider the needs and assess the impact of the policy and clinical/non clinical procedure<br />

being developed (See Appendix F), and must be completed before approval/ratification can<br />

take place.<br />

13. Monitoring Compliance with the Document<br />

Nottinghamshire Community <strong>Health</strong> (through the Risk Management Team) will monitor the<br />

effectiveness of this policy through key performance indicators (KPIs) which will include an<br />

annual review.<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

The process for involving and communicating with internal and external<br />

stakeholders to share safety lessons<br />

The process for following up relevant action plans; through reports from DATIX for<br />

low level risk and the work of the Q&RSC for higher level risks.<br />

NCH regularly uploads to the NPSA National <strong>Reporting</strong> <strong>Learning</strong> (NRLS) system<br />

Lessons learnt from analysis result in change<br />

Process for reducing risk identified through incident reports<br />

75% of incidents have a completed management action section within 2 weeks of<br />

the incident occurring<br />

Quarterly incident risk management reports contain incident and causal factors<br />

trend analysis<br />

At least 2 Lessons Learnt reports (Shared Experience Newsletters) are produced<br />

and disseminated each year<br />

An annual risk management report containing results of the audit and improvement<br />

actions is produced for the Q&RSC responsible for overseeing risk management<br />

14. References<br />

<strong>Health</strong> & Safety Executive. (1995). <strong>Reporting</strong> of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous<br />

Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR Explained, Version 6), Suffolk: <strong>Health</strong> and Safety<br />

Executive. Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm.<br />

<strong>Health</strong> and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996. (Statutory Instrument<br />

1996 No. 1513). London: The Stationery Office. Available at: www.opsi.gov.uk<br />

<strong>Health</strong> & Safety Executive. (1996). A guide to the <strong>Health</strong> and Safety (Consultation with<br />

Employees) Regulations 1996 (L95). Suffolk: <strong>Health</strong> and Safety Executive. Available at:<br />

www.hsebooks.com/<br />

Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, Chapter 23. London: The Stationery Office. Available at:<br />

www.opsi.gov.uk<br />

Department of <strong>Health</strong>. (1998). <strong>Health</strong> Service Circular 1999/198, The Public Interest<br />

Disclosure Act 1998: Whistle blowing in the NHS. London: Department of <strong>Health</strong>. Available at<br />

www.dh.gov.uk/<br />

Page 14 of 28


Department of <strong>Health</strong>. (2000). An Organisation with a Memory: Report of an Expert Group on<br />

<strong>Learning</strong> from Adverse Events in the NHS. London: Department of <strong>Health</strong>. Available at<br />

www.dh.gov.uk/<br />

Department of <strong>Health</strong>. (2001). Building a Safer NHS for Patients: Implementing an<br />

Organisation with a Memory. London: Department of <strong>Health</strong>. Available at www.dh.gov.uk/<br />

National Patient Safety Agency. (2004). Seven Steps to Patient Safety. London: National<br />

Patient Safety Agency. Available at: www.npsa.nhs.uk/<br />

National Patient Safety Agency. (2005). Building a Memory: Preventing Harm, Reducing Risks<br />

and Protecting Patient Safety London: National Patient Safety Agency. Available at:<br />

www.npsa.nhs.uk.<br />

National Patient Safety Agency. (2005). Patient Briefing - Saying Sorry When Things Go<br />

Wrong. London: National Patient Safety Agency. Available at: www.npsa.nhs.uk/<br />

National Patient Safety Agency. (2005). Safer Practice Notice - Being Open When Patients<br />

are Harmed. London: National Patient Safety Agency. Available at: www.npsa.nhs.uk/<br />

<strong>Health</strong>care Commission. (2008). The annual health check 2008/09 Assessing and rating the<br />

NHS. London: <strong>Health</strong>care Commission. Available at:<br />

http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/publicationslibrary.<br />

Department of <strong>Health</strong>. (2008). High Quality Care For All NHS Next Stage Review Final Report.<br />

London: Department of <strong>Health</strong>. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk<br />

National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). (2009). Never Events – Framework for 2009/10:<br />

Process and action for Primary Care Trusts 2009/10. London: NPSA. Available at:<br />

http://www.npsa.nhs.uk<br />

15. Associated Documentation<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

All Information Governance Policies<br />

Safeguarding Children <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Being Open <strong>Policy</strong><br />

<strong>Health</strong> and Safety <strong>Policy</strong><br />

<strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> Procedure<br />

Slips, Trips and Falls <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Guidance on the Investigation of Claims, <strong>Incident</strong>s and Complaints<br />

<strong>Policy</strong> for the Management of Violence and Aggression (Zero<br />

Tolerance)<br />

Risk Management Strategy<br />

Risk Assessment Procedure<br />

Risk Register <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Patient Identification <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Safeguarding Adults <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Serious Untoward <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Medical Devices Procedure<br />

Raising Concerns “Whistle Blowing' <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Page 15 of 28


Appendix A<br />

HOW TO REPORT AN INCIDENT OR NEAR MISS<br />

The following is operational guidance on when and how to report an incident or near miss. For full<br />

guidance on untoward incident reporting you should refer to the Nottinghamshire Community <strong>Health</strong><br />

Procedure for the <strong>Reporting</strong> of <strong>Incident</strong>s and Near Misses.<br />

All incidents and near misses should be reported to the line manager as soon as possible after the<br />

event. If the line manager is not available report to the next available senior member of staff.<br />

Out of hours contact the Senior Manager on call by telephoning 0115 934 3236.<br />

All incidents, near misses and serious untoward incidents must also be recorded on the<br />

Nottinghamshire Community <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Incident</strong> Report Form (Example Section 3)<br />

<br />

Hard copies of the <strong>Incident</strong> Report forms are available across the organisation and<br />

the nearest pack of forms to you is identified in Section 1 of this folder.<br />

In all cases the <strong>Incident</strong> Report form should be completed and submitted within 24 hours of the<br />

incident occurring:<br />

Hard copy <strong>Incident</strong> Reports: Should be faxed to the Risk Management Team (Ransom<br />

Hall) on 01623 781747<br />

<br />

Where the service, team and/or department have the capability to scan the <strong>Incident</strong> Report<br />

(part1) then they can also email the electronic PDF of the <strong>Incident</strong> Report to:<br />

professions.governance@nottscommunityhealth.nhs.uk<br />

DEFINITIONS<br />

<strong>Incident</strong>: – Any event or circumstance involving patients, staff, visitors or contractors that could<br />

have, or did lead to unintended or unexpected harm, loss or damage.<br />

Near Miss: – Any event or omission where an incident almost occurred which had the potential<br />

to cause harm, injury, damage or loss but failed to develop, whether or not as a result of<br />

compensating action.<br />

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES<br />

Employees: - All Employees of NCH have a duty to ensure incidents and near misses are<br />

reported as soon as possible and their manager notified so that the event can be<br />

investigated and measures taken to minimise the risk of a recurrence of the situation.<br />

Managers: - Managers have a responsibility for ensuring that incidents and near misses are<br />

graded and investigated as soon as possible after the event and that measures are taken<br />

to minimise the risk of a recurrence of the situation.<br />

Page 16 of 28


Guidance on completing an <strong>Incident</strong> Report Form<br />

The <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> Form MUST be used to record ALL incidents<br />

Record known FACTS only – do not give opinions<br />

The form must be completed within 24 hours of the incident occurring<br />

All staff are required to complete part 1<br />

SECTION ONE (S1)<br />

From the categories stated clearly tick what type of incident has occurred<br />

Date of incident should be noted in the following format: 01 11 08<br />

Time to be shown as the 24 hour clock e.g. 13:45<br />

SECTION TWO (S2)<br />

The exact location of where the incident occurred needs to be given in detail<br />

Examples:<br />

Stapleford Care Centre Consulting room 3<br />

Ransom Hall<br />

External fire escape stairs<br />

Mansfield Community Hospital Inpatients Ward<br />

Clearly tick the relevant box if equipment, medication or violence and aggression was involved or a<br />

contributory factor in the incident<br />

SECTION THREE (S3)<br />

1) Give a brief overview of the actual incident.<br />

2) Write clearly avoiding the use of abbreviations<br />

3) Give brief details of the events leading up to the incident<br />

4) Give details of any person(s) involved - do not name them<br />

5) If medication or equipment was involved, give details e.g. Drug name and dose and/or serial<br />

number of equipment<br />

6) Do not attach any statements or further information to the form (Do not attach patients<br />

clinical records)<br />

It is important that you only state FACT and not opinion<br />

If the incident relates to poor discharge arrangements (Section 5 - Poor Discharge Form) or a<br />

Pressure Ulcer Grade 3 or 4 (Section 6 - Supplementary Information for Pressure Ulcer <strong>Incident</strong><br />

Forms) then the appropriate form identified at section 5 and 6 MUST be completed. Guidance on<br />

completing both forms is outlined in Section 4 of the <strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> Folder<br />

SECTION FOUR (S4)<br />

Give names of any witnesses and indicate what status they are e.g. staff, patient, contractor<br />

Give a contact number including the std code e.g. 01623 414114 Ext 4656 etc<br />

Page 17 of 28


SECTION FIVE (S5)<br />

Describe in all stages any actions that have been taken following the accident.<br />

E.g. removed faulty equipment out of use/Reported to Estates/Reported to Police/Referred to Staff<br />

<strong>Health</strong><br />

SECTIONS SIX & SEVEN (S6 & S7)<br />

The individual affected by the incident is the person that suffers or could have suffered injury, ill health<br />

or loss.<br />

If the individual affected is a member of staff then section seven must also be completed. The<br />

member of staff must give their actual job title e.g. District Nurse, Pharmacist, Administrator.<br />

Give a contact number and give the full workplace address not just the name of the premises.<br />

The table below has a list of ethnicity groups all coded. The relevant code should be added in section<br />

6.<br />

Asian or Asian<br />

British<br />

Mixed Black or Black British White Other ethnic<br />

group<br />

01 – Bangladeshi<br />

02 – Indian<br />

03 – Pakistani<br />

04 – Other Asian<br />

background<br />

05 – White & Asian<br />

06 – White & Black African<br />

07 – White & Black Caribbean<br />

08 – Other mixed background<br />

09 – African<br />

10 – Caribbean<br />

11 – Other black<br />

background<br />

12 – British<br />

13 – Irish<br />

14 –Other White<br />

background<br />

15 – Chinese<br />

16 – Other ethnic<br />

group<br />

SECTION EIGHT & NINE (S8 & S9)<br />

The person completing the form should enter all details in block capitals. Details of full workplace<br />

address must be given not just the name of the premises. Enter the date you complete the form.<br />

Give full details as stated of their line manager’s details.<br />

ON COMPLETION OF THE FORM<br />

Check the form to ensure all details are correct<br />

Do not attach any further information with the form<br />

Fax the BLUE copy (Part 1) of the form to the Risk Management Team on 01623 781747 or e-<br />

mail an electronic copy to professions.governance@nottscommunityhealth.nhs.uk<br />

Send the blue copy of the form to line manager for completion of part 2 - clearly mark the<br />

envelope e.g. Tanya Jones, District Nurse Team Leader<br />

Remove the white copy out of the incident reporting pad and retain and file in a safe place<br />

Page 18 of 28


SECTION 10 (S10)<br />

PART 2 IS TO BE COMPLETED BY A LINE MANAGER<br />

Consider the incident and look at the initial actions already taken to prevent the incident from re<br />

occurring (actions in part 1, section 5).<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Assess the incident using the risk matrix<br />

When scoring the incident think about the potential severity if the incident were to happen<br />

again<br />

Think about how likely it is that the incident could occur again<br />

If the overall risk score is below 8, and the actions in part 1 - section 5 are sufficient then no<br />

further investigation is required<br />

If the overall risk score is between 8 and 12 then further investigation must be carried out.<br />

The rest of this form should be used to record the findings.<br />

If the overall risk score is over 12 than the incident must be reported to the Risk Management<br />

Team immediately on 01623 673847<br />

SECTION 11 (S11)<br />

1) Give full details of the investigation you have undertaken<br />

2) Do not attach any further documents (statements, clinical records etc)<br />

3) Identify how and why the incident happened.<br />

4) Give details of any person(s) involved in the investigation process and identify what role they<br />

played e.g. partners from other agencies, estates manager<br />

5) Give details of any policies/procedures that have been referred to during the investigation<br />

SECTION 12 (S12)<br />

From the investigation note down stage by stage the lessons learnt.<br />

Give simple, clear facts. Each sentence should contain one specific fact.<br />

Example: Lessons learnt from the loss of a data stick.<br />

1) Never put personal information on the data stick<br />

2) Use encrypted data sticks only<br />

SECTION 13 (S13)<br />

Write down stage by stage all the actions that have been has been taken from the lessons learnt.<br />

Example:<br />

1) Purchased encrypted data sticks<br />

2) Ensured all staff have read and understood the <strong>Policy</strong> for Use of Portable Data Storage devices<br />

Complete SECTION this 14 section (S14) using block capitals<br />

Enter date the investigation completed<br />

Enter full job title e.g. General Manager, Locality Service Manager, <strong>Health</strong> Visitor Team Lead<br />

Enter full workplace address.<br />

Once completed return the original Part 1 and Part 2 (Blue form) to the Risk Management team; you<br />

should retain a copy for your own records.<br />

The form must be returned to the Risk Management team within two weeks of the date of the<br />

original incident occurring<br />

Page 19 of 28


Appendix B<br />

Risk Grading Matrix<br />

Severity<br />

LIKELIHOOD<br />

1<br />

Insignificant<br />

2<br />

Minor<br />

3<br />

Moderate<br />

4<br />

Major<br />

5<br />

Catastrophic<br />

1 - Rare<br />

2 - Unlikely<br />

3 - Possible<br />

4 - Likely<br />

5 - Almost<br />

Certain<br />

1 2 3 4 5<br />

2 4 6 8 10<br />

3 6 9 12 15<br />

4 8 12 16 20<br />

5 10 15 20 25<br />

Risk<br />

High (H)<br />

Moderate<br />

(M)<br />

Low (L)<br />

Further Action<br />

Risk Priority<br />

Significant Risk. As below plus:<br />

Report to Managing Board identifying treatment options<br />

Quarterly report to the Managing Board monitoring progress on<br />

treatment action plans<br />

Unacceptable Risk. As below plus:<br />

(12 and above) Report to the Governance Committee identifying<br />

treatment options<br />

(12 and above) report to the Q&RSC monitoring progress on<br />

treatment action plans<br />

Acceptable Risk. As below plus:<br />

discuss whether any further action should be taken to reduce<br />

future risk<br />

By Whom<br />

Governance<br />

Committee<br />

Q&RSC<br />

Team Meetings<br />

Risk Matrix – Likelihood<br />

Likelihood rating Description<br />

5 Almost Certain this type of event will happen frequently<br />

4 Likely this type of event will happen, but its not a persistent concern<br />

3 Possible this type of event may well happen (e.g. 50/50 chance)<br />

2 Unlikely unlikely that this type of event will happen<br />

1 Rare cannot believe that an event of this type will occur in the foreseeable future<br />

Page 20 of 28


Risk Matrix – Severity<br />

1 2 3 4 5<br />

Descriptor Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic<br />

Over three days off Major injuries, or<br />

Injury<br />

Minor injury or “sick” = RIDDOR long term Death or major<br />

Minor injury not<br />

illness, first aid reportable. 10 days incapacity / permanent<br />

requiring first aid<br />

treatment needed to report to the disability (loss of incapacity<br />

HSE.<br />

limb)<br />

Patient<br />

Experience<br />

Unsatisfactory<br />

patient experience<br />

not directly related<br />

to patient care<br />

Unsatisfactory<br />

patient experience<br />

- readily resolvable<br />

Mismanagement of<br />

patient care – short<br />

term effects<br />

Mismanagement of<br />

patient care – long<br />

term effects<br />

Totally<br />

unsatisfactory<br />

patient outcome or<br />

experience<br />

Complaint/<br />

Claim Potential<br />

Locally resolved<br />

complaint<br />

Justified complaint<br />

peripheral to<br />

clinical care<br />

Justified complaint<br />

involving lack of<br />

appropriate care<br />

Multiple justified<br />

complaints<br />

Multiple claims or<br />

single major claim<br />

Objectives/<br />

Projects<br />

Service/<br />

Business<br />

Interruption<br />

Human<br />

Resources/<br />

Organisational<br />

Development<br />

Insignificant cost<br />

increase/schedule<br />

slippage. Barely<br />

noticeable<br />

reduction in scope<br />

or quality<br />

Loss/interruption ><br />

1 hour<br />

Short term low<br />

staffing level<br />

temporarily<br />

reduces service<br />

quality (< 1 day)<br />

< 5% over<br />

budget/schedule<br />

slippage. Minor<br />

reduction in<br />

quality/scope<br />

Loss/interruption ><br />

8 hours<br />

Ongoing low<br />

staffing level<br />

reduces service<br />

quality<br />

5 -10% over<br />

budget/schedule<br />

slippage.<br />

Reduction in scope<br />

or quality requiring<br />

client approval<br />

Loss/interruption ><br />

1 day<br />

Late delivery of key<br />

objective/service<br />

due to lack of staff<br />

(recruitment,<br />

retention or<br />

sickness). Minor<br />

error due to<br />

insufficient training.<br />

Ongoing unsafe<br />

staffing level<br />

10 - 25% over<br />

budget/schedule<br />

slippage. Doesn't<br />

meet secondary<br />

objectives<br />

Loss/interruption ><br />

1 week<br />

Uncertain delivery<br />

of key objective/<br />

service due to lack<br />

of staff. Serious<br />

error due to<br />

insufficient training<br />

> 25% over<br />

budget/schedule<br />

slippage. Doesn't<br />

meet primary<br />

objectives<br />

Permanent loss of<br />

service or facility<br />

Non-delivery of key<br />

objective/ service<br />

due to lack of staff.<br />

Loss of key staff.<br />

Very high turnover.<br />

Critical error due to<br />

insufficient training<br />

Financial Small loss (> £100) Loss > £1,000 Loss > £10,000 Loss > £100,000 Loss > £1,000,000<br />

Inspection/ Audit<br />

Adverse<br />

Publicity/<br />

Reputation<br />

Minor<br />

recommendations.<br />

Minor noncompliance<br />

with<br />

standards<br />

Rumours<br />

Recommendations<br />

given. Noncompliance<br />

with<br />

standards<br />

Local Media - short<br />

term<br />

Reduced rating.<br />

Challenging<br />

recommendations.<br />

Non-compliance<br />

with core<br />

standards<br />

Local Media - long<br />

term<br />

Enforcement<br />

Action. Low rating.<br />

Critical report.<br />

Multiple<br />

challenging<br />

recommendations.<br />

Major noncompliance<br />

with<br />

core standards<br />

National Media < 3<br />

Days<br />

Prosecution. Zero<br />

Rating. Severely<br />

critical report<br />

National Media > 3<br />

Days. MP Concern<br />

(Questions in<br />

House)<br />

Page 21 of 28


Appendix C<br />

List of External Stakeholders<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> type Recipient Information reported<br />

RIDDOR incidents <strong>Health</strong> & safety executive (HSE) Injuries from work based accidents.<br />

Details of incident and persons<br />

involved.<br />

Medicine incidents<br />

Medicines and <strong>Health</strong>care Products<br />

Regulatory Agency (MHRA)<br />

Comprehensive details of incidents<br />

related to adverse drugs reactions.<br />

Medical device related incidents MHRA Comprehensive details related to<br />

devices involved in incident<br />

including manufacture date, expiry<br />

date.<br />

Serious Adverse Blood Related<br />

Events (SABRE)<br />

MHRA / Hospital Transfusion<br />

Committee Via Acute Trust<br />

Haematology Laboratory<br />

Details of incident including initial<br />

findings.<br />

Patient safety incidents NPSA All patient safety incidents including<br />

near-miss events.<br />

Communicable disease outbreaks<br />

and other public health issues<br />

Fire related incidents. Estate<br />

related incidents<br />

<strong>Health</strong> Protection Agency (HPA)<br />

NHS Estates (NHSME)<br />

Infection control and other public<br />

health incidents with details of<br />

spread of disease, contact etc.<br />

Details of fire incident injuries/death<br />

cause type/quantity loss.<br />

Insurance claims and incidents NHSLA Details and cost of loss/claim.<br />

Environment related incidents e.g<br />

.waste disposal<br />

Data Protection/Caldicott<br />

contraventions<br />

Environment Agency<br />

Dept of <strong>Health</strong> through SHA<br />

Information on incidents e.g. type of<br />

waste and hazards.<br />

Description of contravention e.g.<br />

patient details disclosed<br />

inappropriately.<br />

Safeguarding Children Local Safeguarding Children Board Details of child protection related<br />

incident.<br />

Safeguarding vulnerable adults Social Services Details of incident to Protection of<br />

Vulnerable Adults Lead [POVA].<br />

The Central Alerting System (CAS) Department of <strong>Health</strong> Details of actions taken to address<br />

issues contained in alert.<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> involving a patient detailed<br />

under the Mental <strong>Health</strong> Act<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> involving individual in a<br />

registered residential care home<br />

If doctor cannot issue a death<br />

certificate<br />

Mental <strong>Health</strong> Act Commission<br />

Care Quality Commission<br />

HM Coroner<br />

Details of the individual, type of<br />

section, occurrence.<br />

Details of individual, occurrence.<br />

Details about patient and full<br />

circumstances of death.<br />

Page 22 of 28


Appendix D<br />

DEFINITIONS OF SERIOUS UNTOWARD INCIDENTS (SUIS)<br />

The following are criteria for reporting Serious Untoward incidents to NHS Nottinghamshire<br />

County and the Strategic <strong>Health</strong> Authority and by implication will be deemed items reportable<br />

under this policy as part of serious incident reporting.<br />

These definitions are currently under review as part of the revised East Midlands SHA<br />

<strong>Policy</strong> for the <strong>Reporting</strong> and Handling of Serious <strong>Incident</strong>s in the East Midlands.<br />

Major <strong>Incident</strong>s:<br />

<br />

Any circumstance which necessitates the activation of the NCHs’ or wider community<br />

Emergency Plan.<br />

Medico-legal incidents:<br />

<br />

<br />

Suspicion of large scale theft or any incident which may give rise to serious criminal<br />

charges.<br />

Impending court hearing or out of court settlement in cases of large scale litigation<br />

(including negligence claims)<br />

<strong>Incident</strong>s involving staff:<br />

All incidents where suspension from duty is contemplated and there is likely to be public<br />

interest or the issue is of a serious nature as defined within the following list:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Serious complaints about a member of staff<br />

Suspicion of a serious error or errors by a member of staff<br />

A serious drug error resulting in harm to a patient<br />

A serious breach of confidentiality<br />

Serious verbal and / or physical aggression<br />

Requests for the issue of an Alert letter.<br />

Problems that may have a serious impact on public health or there is a perceived threat<br />

to the health of individual patients<br />

Significant threats to public safety<br />

If referral to the relevant statutory body is contemplated<br />

Suggestions of significant inappropriate conduct, sexual or otherwise<br />

Definite criminal activity or the involvement of the police<br />

Significant inappropriate use of or prescription of controlled drugs<br />

Strong likelihood of stories reaching the media<br />

Mortality / morbidity incidents:<br />

<br />

<br />

Clusters of unexpected or unexplained deaths<br />

Maternal deaths<br />

Page 23 of 28


The suicide of any person currently in receipt of NHS services including those provided<br />

by primary care practitioners on or off NHS premise, or who have been discharged<br />

within the last 12 months. Suicide is defined as death:<br />

where there is obvious evidence or strong suspicion of self harm, or,<br />

where the above does not apply initially but emerges later from a clinical review or<br />

other review of the case, or,<br />

where the Coroner’s verdict is suicide (or open verdict)<br />

Death or injury where foul play is suspected.<br />

The accidental death of or serious injury to a patient, member of staff or visitor to NHS<br />

premises or involving NHS staff or equipment.<br />

Significant harm to children where reported under child protection arrangements or an<br />

adverse event which results in a serious case review.<br />

Significant harm to adults where reported under vulnerable adult arrangements.<br />

<strong>Health</strong>care associated infection / infection control:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<strong>Incident</strong>s which result in significant morbidity or mortality and/or<br />

Involve highly virulent and transmissible organisms and/or<br />

Require control measures that have an impact on the care of other patients, including<br />

limitation of access to healthcare services.<br />

These incidents are divided into two bands:<br />

<br />

<br />

Outbreaks that are sufficiently serious to require the convening of an incident<br />

team and/or<br />

Outbreaks that significantly disrupt services and/or highly virulent and<br />

transmissible with an impact on staff, patients or the community.<br />

<br />

<br />

Infected healthcare worker or patient incidents necessitating consideration of look back<br />

investigations (e.g. TB, vCJD, blood borne infections)<br />

Significant breakdown of infection control procedures with actual or potential for cross<br />

infection (e.g. release of products from a failed sterilisation cycle, contaminated blood<br />

transfusion).<br />

Premises / equipment incidents:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Serious damage that occurs of NHS premises, or to NHS property, or any incident that<br />

results in serious injury to any individual or serious disruption to services (e.g.<br />

evacuation of patients due to fire)<br />

Failure of equipment so serious as to endanger life, whether or not injury results<br />

Suspicion of malicious activity e.g. tampering with equipment<br />

Circumstances that lead to the provider no longer being able to provide an element of<br />

service.<br />

Page 24 of 28


Appendix E<br />

SENIOR MANAGER ON-CALL ARRANGEMENTS<br />

From 6 April 2008 CNCS (Central Nottinghamshire Clinical Services) provides a single call<br />

handling service for both the County PCT and Nottinghamshire Community <strong>Health</strong> Senior<br />

Manager on-call rotas.<br />

The contact telephone number is 0115 934 3236<br />

This will access the CNCS call centre who will contact the relevant Senior Manager on-call.<br />

The CNCS team will endeavour to answer all calls within one minute as part of the partner service<br />

agreement with the PCT.<br />

Process for contacting the Senior Manager On-call<br />

1. If there are any urgent security issues, such as a suspected intruder, please phone the<br />

Police straight away as well as making a call to CNCS to contact the relevant On-call Senior<br />

Manager.<br />

2. Please identify to the call handler whether the incident relates to the County PCT or County<br />

Provider services (Nottinghamshire Community <strong>Health</strong>).<br />

3. CNCS will ask you for the following information:<br />

<br />

<br />

brief details of the incident<br />

contact details to include:<br />

Your name<br />

Your role<br />

Your team/base<br />

Where you are currently e.g. home, work base etc<br />

Contact telephone numbers<br />

4. CNCS will contact the PCT or NCH Senior Manager on-call.<br />

If the call relates to reporting a Major <strong>Incident</strong> which requires the PCT input, CNCS will<br />

contact the On Call Director to enable them to escalate the issue to the PCT Chief<br />

Executive.<br />

5. If for any reason you have not heard from the On-Call Manager, please phone again e.g.<br />

after 15 minutes if urgent or half an hour if non-urgent.<br />

6. If CNCS do not receive an answer to calls made to the mobile and home contact numbers<br />

provided for the manager they will leave a message asking them to contact CNCS regarding<br />

an on-call matter and will record the time and date of the call.<br />

7. If not successful in making contact with the senior manager and the matter is urgent, CNCS<br />

will contact the on-call Director. If it is a non-urgent matter they will wait up to half an hour<br />

for the call to be returned.<br />

8. Please ensure the NCH on-call incident log form is completed in full. Completed forms<br />

should be forwarded to the Operations Team at Ransom Hall as soon as possible, certainly<br />

by the next working day.<br />

Page 25 of 28


Appendix F<br />

Equality Impact Assessment Tool<br />

To be completed and attached to any procedural document when submitted to the<br />

appropriate committee for consideration and approval.<br />

PROCEDURE NAME<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Yes/No<br />

Comments<br />

1. Does the policy/guidance affect one<br />

group less or more favourably than<br />

another on the basis of:<br />

Race<br />

Ethnic origins (including gypsies and<br />

travellers)<br />

Nationality<br />

Gender<br />

Culture<br />

Religion or belief<br />

Sexual orientation including lesbian,<br />

gay and bisexual people<br />

Age<br />

Disability - learning disabilities, physical<br />

disability, sensory impairment and<br />

mental health problems<br />

2. Is there any evidence that some groups<br />

are affected differently?<br />

3. If you have identified potential<br />

discrimination, are any exceptions<br />

valid, legal and/or justifiable?<br />

4. Is the impact of the policy/guidance<br />

likely to be negative?<br />

No<br />

No<br />

No<br />

No<br />

No<br />

No<br />

No<br />

No<br />

No<br />

No<br />

No<br />

No<br />

5. If so can the impact be avoided? No<br />

6. What alternatives are there to achieving<br />

the policy/guidance without the impact?<br />

No<br />

7. Can we reduce the impact by taking<br />

different action?<br />

If you have identified a potential discriminatory impact of this procedural document, please<br />

refer it to the sponsoring director, together with any suggestions as to the action required to<br />

avoid/reduce this impact.<br />

For further advice in respect of answering the above questions, please contact the Equality<br />

and Diversity Lead for NCH the Associate Director of Workforce<br />

No<br />

Page 26 of 28


Appendix G<br />

Plan for Dissemination of Policies or Procedural Documents<br />

To be completed and attached to any document which guides practice when submitted to the<br />

appropriate committee for consideration and approval.<br />

Acknowledgement: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.<br />

Title of<br />

document:<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Date finalised: Feb 2010<br />

Previous<br />

document<br />

already being<br />

used?<br />

No<br />

(Please delete<br />

as appropriate)<br />

Dissemination lead:<br />

Print name and<br />

contact details<br />

Kieran Colton<br />

Head of<br />

Governance &<br />

Compliance<br />

If yes, in what<br />

format and<br />

where?<br />

N/A<br />

Proposed action<br />

to retrieve outof-date<br />

copies of<br />

the document:<br />

N/A<br />

To be<br />

disseminated to:<br />

How will it be<br />

disseminated, who<br />

will do it and<br />

when?<br />

Paper<br />

or<br />

Electronic<br />

Comments<br />

Dissemination Record - to be used once document is approved.<br />

Date put on intranet<br />

Date due to be reviewed<br />

Disseminated to:<br />

(either directly or<br />

via meetings, etc)<br />

Format (i.e.<br />

paper or<br />

electronic)<br />

Date<br />

Disseminate<br />

d<br />

No. of<br />

Copies<br />

Sent<br />

Contact Details /<br />

Comments<br />

Page 27 of 28


Appendix H<br />

Employee Record of Having Read the <strong>Policy</strong>/Procedure/Guidance<br />

Title of <strong>Policy</strong>/Procedure/Guidance:<br />

<strong>Incident</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

I have read and understand the principles contained in the named policy.<br />

PRINT FULL NAME SIGNATURE DATE<br />

Page 28 of 28

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