Incident reporting policy - Homerton University Hospital

• Assess the environment and risks to patients and staff following an SUI ensuring appropriateimmediate action to minimize risk is taken.• Immediately notify the Risk Management Department when an SUI is suspected.• Ensure staff involved complete statements within 1 week of the incident (See Policy on Writing aWitness Statement).• Submit formal reports, including progress reports to the Chief Nurse in respect of the factssurrounding any untoward incident as requested.• Implement the agreed action plan to minimize the risk of recurrence.22.6.4 Clinical Risk/Non Clinical Risk ManagerThe risk managers‟ responsibility is the updating of this policy at a minimum every 3 years or sooner ifnecessary. To train staff in root cause analysis in order that they can undertake SUI investigations. Tosupport staff undertaking SUI investigations, particularly in relation to report writing and to ensure thereports are presented at the Patient Safety Committee and action plans followed up.The Clinical Risk Manager will maintain a database of all SUIs in order to monitor progress of theinvestigation and action plans.22.6.5 Managers trained in Root Cause AnalysisThese managers have a responsibility to undertake a full investigation of the incident (either alone or aspart of a team) using root cause analysis, if requested to do so by the Chief Nurse.22.6.6 The Press OfficerThe Press Officer is responsible for handling any likely media interest resulting from any SUI liaisingclosely with the Chief Executive and, where necessary, the Strategic Health Authority and the PrimaryCare Trust (Section 17.7 of Incident Reporting Policy and Media Reporting Policy).22.6.7 ManagersManagers, including Ward managers, Departmental Managers and Team Leaders are responsible for:• Providing the supportive environment required to facilitate untoward incident reporting.• Ensuring staff are aware of this policy and that new staff are made aware of the policy on induction.• Keeping staff up to date about any changes within the policy.• Ensuring staff adhere to the reporting procedures outlined in this policy.• Ensuring staff report any untoward incident immediately to the most senior person in thedepartment.• Supporting staff, patients and carers/relatives through any investigation and arrangingcounselling/on-going support for any members of staff who may be suffering emotional trauma as aresult of being involved in an SUI.• Undertaking local risk assessments.22.6.8 All EmployeesAll employees have a responsibility to report untoward incidents and near misses to their line manager,Senior Manager or Clinical Site Manager immediately to ensure that the SUI policy is initiated.All employees are responsible for co-operating in the investigation process. It is expected that uponrequest to attend an interview or to submit a statement staff will fully co-operate and provide a full accountof events. Requests for statements should be responded to within 7 days from the date of initial request.(See Policy for Writing a Witness Statement).22.7 Organisational arrangements for the reporting serious untoward incidentsPage 21 of 47