Serious Untoward Incident Policy - Health Partnerships Learning ...

Appendix C - Deciding whether an incident is a Serious UntowardIncident [SUI]Assessing the severity of an incident will initially lie with local managers but ultimately rely onthe expertise, experience and discretion of the relevant Assistant Director. For example theAssistant Director will need to consider the level of likely media/public interest as well as thecircumstances of the incident itself.The following guidance is provided as an aide to determining severity.The following can be involved in the incident:A patient, service user, member of the public, contractor, NHS staff, locum staff and out ofhours providers, children, young people, prisoners and young offenders, or other providersof healthcare involved in the process of treatment, care or consultation on NHS premises, orin the course of treatment or care that is commissioned by the NHS but may be delivered bya private provider on non-NHS premises. This definition includes patients’ homes.Incidents for ConsiderationIncidents that should be considered for reporting as SUIs will most commonly fall within oneor more of the following categories. Whether or not the incident is reported will depend uponthe Assistant Director’s discretion and their assessment of the severity of the incident. Thislist is not exhaustive and is intended as a guide only. Accident in hospital resulting in serious injury Allegation of abuse against a healthcare worker Allegation of Assault against a healthcare worker Allegation of theft / fraud against a healthcare worker Significant assault by other/unknown assailant Significant assault by Patient Bogus healthcare worker Chemical, biological, radiological or Nuclear [CBRN] incident resulting in seriousinjury or major service disruption Child or Adult Abuse (alleged or actual) – instigation of a Local SafeguardingChildren Board (LSCB) Serious Case Review or if a Serious Case Review isundertaken under Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) guidance. Significant Confidential information leak Damage (serious) to NHS property (e.g. through fire, flood, criminal activity) Death on GP premises Deaths in custody (where the health services are provided by NCH) Drug incident (including controlled drugs and medical gases) Equipment Failure relating in serious injury or service disruption Estate Failure e.g. utilities, lifts, generators, heating etc Fire Communicable disease or significant infection issue Healthcare Associated Infection/Infection control – outbreak of infection > 5 cases in7 days Healthcare Associated Infection – MRSA or C Diff mentioned on part 1 of deathcertificate Pressure Ulcers Grade 3 and 4 Contamination/radiation hazard Screening Issues19