LectureVid 1.1: Introduction to Patient Safety

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Patient Safety (ICPS) (2009), patient safety is the reduction of risk of unnecessary harm associated with healthcare to an acceptable minimum level (WHO 2009).  That framework delineates 10 categories of variables that should be deliberated to provide a comprehensive understanding of patient safety. These are (1) incident type; (2) patient outcomes; (3) patient characteristics; (4) incident characteristics; (5) contributing factors; (6) organizational outcomes; (7) detection; (8) mitigating factors; (9) ameliorating actions; (10) actions taken to reduce risk. It is important to note that this framework is to be applied iteratively as a form of continuous learning and improvement cycle, particularly on risk identification, risk prevention, risk detection, risk reduction, incident recovery as well as strengthening system resilience. To download a copy of this framework, click here.

Reflect on a previous patient safety incident you have had or your organization had experienced. Do you think the WHO-ICPS framework is a useful framework for you to identify the contributory factors and the various impacts or outcomes that had occurred as a result of this incident? Would you use the WHO-ICPS framework or not? Share your thoughts in the text box below. Note: do not share any specific patient identification details in your posting. Always anonymize your patient description.