| Following a successful pilot scheme run jointly by the NHS QA Committee and the National CIVAS Group, it was decided to launch a national scheme recording the types and causes of errors occurring within aseptic preparation services. This scheme considers in-process errors and near misses as well as those errors leaving the pharmacy department. |
| The accompanying reporting information was produced after the last meeting of the Error Reporting Working Party and details the individual categories by which each error is to be classified. Error reporting is a key area at the moment, the scheme has been designed to be as easy as possible to report into, and the pilot study produced much valuable data. |
| We plan to start collecting data from September 2002, although obviously, Trusts can start reporting into the scheme at any time after that. All data collection will be done electronically, and all report forms and monthly workload figures should be sent to me by e-mail at richard.bateman@gstt.sthames.nhs.uk. The data must also be copied to your local Regional Quality Controller. A blank version of the Excel reporting sheets accompanies this document. |
| Richard Bateman Regional Quality Assurance Pharmacist - London Download Excel Reporting sheet: ERRORBLANK.xls (15KB) Download Categories guidance document: categories.pdf (10KB)  {To save these files to your hard disk, Right-Click on the relevant link, and select, "Save Target As..."} |
| Additional notes: |
| It must be noted that this is a national scheme and does not replace the need for local action to improve the performance of individual units. This scheme has been set up to report errors happening at all stages of the process. Error reporting should not be restricted to those which are found after final release. |
| Reporting from each hospital should be done on a monthly basis. As total workload figures are required, there is a need to make returns on a monthly basis even if no errors have been detected in order to ensure that the percentage of errors is not skewed. |
| The results will be summarised on a quarterly basis and published on the London Quality Control website (qainfozone.nhs.uk). This summary will also be sent to all Regional Quality Controllers. Access to the London website is password controlled; a password can be obtained by logging on to the website's home page. |
| In order to ensure consistency in the reporting process, please refer to the guidance document. Many thanks. |