Reference no: EM133050578

Scenario

Policy: Incident Reporting

PURPOSE:  

The purpose of this policy is to maintain the incident reporting documentation and comply with the applicable legislation and regulations. 

DEFINITIONS:

Incident reporting is the documentation of incidents whether clinical or non-clinical that occur within the routine operation of the organisation. Incidents are "unplanned events or situations that result in or have the potential for injury, ill health, damage or other loss".

CONTEXT:

All incidents that occur within the organisation's routine operations should be recorded and reported. Incidents include: falls; medication errors; communication issues; damage to property and vehicles; hazards/near misses; security breaches and occupational exposures. 

These incidents can involve staff, students, medical officers, patients, contractors, clients, residents, volunteers, relatives and visitors.

What incidents are covered by the incident reporting system?

1. All Clinical Issues - e.g.

1.1. Communication

1.2. Diagnostic issue

1.3. Falls

1.4. Flagged case

1.5. Medication error

1.6. Pressure ulcer

1.7. Treatment issue

1.8. Other

2. All Non-Clinical Issues - e.g.

2.1. Bullying

2.2. Hazard identified

2.3. Injury to staff member of contractor (including needle stick injury / blood and

body fluid exposure)

2.4. Injury to student or visitor

2.5. Professional misconduct

2.6. Property Issue

2.7. Security Issue

2.8. Vehicle accident

2.9. Other

RESPONSIBILITY:

Incidents can be reported by the following:

1. staff

2. visitors

3. community members

4. students

5. contractors

6. patient/client/resident

7. volunteers

Incidents can only be entered into organisation's database by staff members. Staff can enter incidents on behalf of others however without access.

OUTCOMES:

All incidents within the routine operation of the organisation are reported, appropriate actions are taken, mandatory reportable incidents are reported to the appropriate bodies and investigations are carried out to reduce and prevent their reoccurrence.

Qus1) How should the manager of Rosedale act, and what steps need to be taken? Is there a need for specialist legal advice? 

Qus2) What are two (2) strategies that Rosedale's management can establish to evaluate work practices and implement modifications to ensure that a similar incident does not occur again. 

Qus3) What process does Rosedale need to implement so that they can maintain their accreditation?  

Qus4) Identify two (2) opportunities that can be used to maintain knowledge of current and emerging legal requirements and ethical issues in the aged care sector.

Qus5) Give two (2) examples of how updated knowledge and information can be shared with peers and colleagues in a timely manner.

Qus6) What strategies can the management of Rosedale implement to pro-actively engage staff in the process of reviews and improvement of knowledge and implementation of compliance requirements?