The World Alliance for Patient Safety is embarking on a consultation process (the “Delphi Survey”) for the International Patient Safety Event Classification (IPSEC).
As a result of the feedback received through the “Delphi Survey”, the IPSEC will be further revised. Field testing will commence in 2007. It is envisioned that the finalised version of the IPSEC will be available in 2008. To access the “Delphi Survey” visit www.who-ipsec.org The World Alliance for Patient Safety wants to ensure that information about harmto patients is used as a source of learning to develop safer healthcare practices. Patient Safety is defined as freedom from accidental injury. This includes the establishment of processes to minimise the possibility of an event occurring and maximise the ability to detect and recover from, or lessen the impact of, a potential patient safety hazard.
A “patient safety event” is defined as a process or act of omission or commission that results in hazardous healthcare conditions and/or unintended harmto the patient.
The aim of the International Patient Safety Event Classification (IPSEC) is to define, harmonise and group patient safety concepts into an internationally agreed on classification that is conducive to learning and system improvement. The classification needs to be adaptable yet consistent across the entire spectrum of healthcare and across cultures and languages. The work will link closely with the WHO Family of International Classifications and the WHO Drug Dictionary.
