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Clinical Incident Management Policy

Applicable to: This policy is applicable to WA health entities, excluding Health Support Services.

The revised policy will come into effect on 23 January 2025.

MP 0122/19 Clinical Incident Management Policy 2019 policy requirements will be in effect until 23 January 2025.

For further information and to access to the CIM Policy 2019, please contact PSSU@health.wa.gov.au

Description: The purpose of the Clinical Incident Management (CIM) Policy (the policy) is to ensure WA health entities implement consistent and accountable processes and systems for the management of clinical incidents across the WA health system. The policy aims to prevent harm to patients and consumers, improve patient safety and support consumers and staff when a clinical incident occurs.

The policy promotes best practices in CIM to:

  • Identify when patients are harmed and implement strategies to minimise harm.
  • Ensure lessons are learned; provide opportunities to share lessons and take action to reduce the risk of similar events.
  • Identify hazards before they cause patient harm, treat the hazard, and review clinical risks.

The National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (the National Standards) aim to protect the public from harm and improve the quality of health service provision. This policy is underpinned by those requirements of Clinical Governance Standard and Partnering with Consumers Standard of the National Standards that relate to the management of clinical incident.

The policy forms part of the assurance mechanisms that support the System Manager in fulfilling its functions of oversight and monitoring of the safety and quality of services provided by WA health entities.

The policy supports the WA health system to report on sentinel events to the Commonwealth. Further, episodes of care, including sentinel events, must also be reported to the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority for funding purposes.

This policy is a mandatory requirement for Health Service Providers under the Clinical Governance, Safety and Quality Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2) (a), (c) and (d) of the Health Services Act 2016.

This policy is also a mandatory requirement for the Department of Health pursuant to section 29 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994.

Incidents not within the scope of this policy include suspected staff misconduct, work health and safety incidents involving staff, or incidents involving visitors unrelated to providing healthcare to a patient. The management of clinical incidents, particularly the investigation process, must not be used as a method to investigate staff misconduct.

This policy is to be read in conjunction with MP 0127/20 Discipline Policy, MP 0125/19 Notifiable and Reportable Conduct Policy and MP 0015/16 Information Access, Use and Disclosure Policy

 

Date of effect: 01 November 2019

Policy Framework

Supporting information

wa.gov.au