The Australian Incident Monitoring Study in Intensive Care: AIMS-ICU. the Development and Evaluation of an Incident Reporting System in Intensive Care
Open Access
- 1 June 1996
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
- Vol. 24 (3), 314-319
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0310057x9602400303
Abstract
Intensive care units are complex, dynamic patient management environments. Incidents and accidents can be caused by human error, by problems inherent in complex systems, or by a combination of these. Study objectives were to develop and evaluate an incident reporting system. A report form was designed eliciting a description of the incident, contextual information and contributing factors. Staff group sessions using open-ended questions, observations in the workplace and a review of earlier narratives were used to develop the report form. Three intensive care units participated in a two-month evaluation study. Feedback questionnaires were used to assess staff attitudes and understanding, project design and organization. These demonstrated a positive attitude and good understanding by more than 90% participants. Errors in communication, technique, problem recognition and charting were the predisposing factors most commonly chosen in the 128 incidents reported. It was concluded that incident monitoring may be a suitable technique for improving patient safety in intensive care.Keywords
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