The Australian Incident Monitoring Study in Intensive Care : AIMS-ICU. The development and evaluation of an incident reporting system in intensive care

• Published in: Anaesthesia and intensive care Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 314 - 319
• Main Authors: BECKMANN, U, WEST, L. F, GROOMBRIDGE, G. J, BALDWIN, I, HART, G. K, CLAYTON, D. G, WEBB, R. K, RUNCIMAN, W. B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Edgecliff Anaesthesia and Intensive Care 01-06-1996
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Attitude of Health Personnel; Australia; Biological and medical sciences; Emergency and intensive care: techniques, logistics; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Intensive care unit. Emergency transport systems. Emergency, hospital ward; Intensive Care Units; Medical sciences; Pilot Projects; Quality Assurance, Health Care; Risk Management - methods; Safety; Surveys and Questionnaires; Australia; Oceania; Human; Evaluation; Intensive care; Quality assurance; Surveillance; Quality; Hospital ward; Error; Safety; Public health; Care; Intensive care unit
• ISSN: 0310-057X; 1448-0271
• DOI: 10.1177/0310057X9602400303

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.