Annual reports, critical incident summaries and a new website are among the new tools
Annual patient-safety reports, analysis and learning sessions for staff, quarterly critical incident summaries and a new website are among the new tools being introduced in the province. These are a part of Manitoba's strategy to reduce errors in the health-care system and foster a culture of openness and transparency among health professionals, Health Minister Theresa Oswald said as she proclaimed Nov. 1 to 5 Canadian Patient Safety Week.
The first annual patient safety report Patient Safety in Manitoba 2007 to 2010 was released yesterday. The report shows that Manitoba's mandatory, no-blame critical-incident reporting legislation has increased the number of incidents being reported and the opportunity to learn from and prevent the recurrence of errors that do take place.
“Manitoba's steps in patient safety show a commitment to transparency, humility of leaders and the acknowledgement the system is imperfect,” said Hugh MacLeod, chief executive officer of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute. “This honesty positions Manitoba as a leader in Canada and will set the stage for a transformation in patient safety.”
Reporting critical incidents became mandatory in Manitoba on Nov. 1, 2006. This was done to help hospitals, facilities, regional health authorities (RHAs) and provincial organizations in learning from critical incidents when they happen, said Oswald. The province is now analyzing reported incidents to identify trends across the province that will further improve patient safety.
The minister also announced the province has launched a new website that includes information for the public on what to do if someone has a patient safety concern and how the province is improving patient safety. The new annual report and other patient safety information is now available on the website at www.gov.mb.ca/health/patientsafety.
