Development of an Electronic Hazard Reporting Form

Issue
The University Health Network (UHN) has an electronic reporting system that allows hospital staff to report incidents and near misses. Like most institutions, however, they did not have a means for staff to proactively identify and communicate hazards in their environment. Hazards are anything that increases the potential of an incident or near miss and may include things such as problems with the physical setting (lighting, noise, organization of materials), technology that is difficult to use, work patterns and procedures, forms, medication administration and many other issues.

Methods
The healthcare human factors group worked with Risk Management and Software Engineering to augment the existing incident and near miss reporting system to include hazards.

Results
The hazard reporting form will be active in fall 2007. Reported hazards will be sent to the manager of the department where the hazard is identified, the Healthcare Human Factors Group, and Risk Management.