Incident in healthcare services

-Automatic translation

What is an unforeseen incident?

In healthcare, an unforeseen incident refers to an accident, mistake, negligence, or any other event that has caused or could have caused serious harm to a patient.

Healthcare institutions, self-employed healthcare professionals, and other healthcare providers are required to do the following:

What is an unforeseen serious incident?

An unforeseen serious incident in healthcare is an incident that has caused or could have caused death or permanent disability (harm) to a patient.

• Health institutions, self-employed health professionals, and others who provide health services must notify the Directorate of Health immediately of serious unforeseen incidents.

• As of September 1, 2024, patients or their close relatives may report any unforeseen serious incidents to the Directorate of Health.

Responses to incidents

Recording and investigating incidents is important in promoting quality and safety in healthcare.

Many studies have shown that incidents are mostly caused by organisational defects rather than individuals' faults. A key aspect of good healthcare is taking specific actions to prevent unforeseen and serious incidents and minimise potential harm.

The Directorate of Health has translated and adapted instructions for responding to incidents.

Guidelines

• Response to the patient and relatives. Guidelines I. Published 2016 (Icelandic)

• Response towards the staff of a health institution. Guidelines II. Published 2016 (Icelandic)

• A health institution's response in order to maintain and restore credibility and trust. Guidelines III. Published 2016 (Icelandic)

Checklists

• Response to the patients and relatives. Checklist I. Published 2016. (Icelandic)

• Response towards the staff of a health institution. Checklist II. Published 2016. (Icelandic)

• A health institution's response in order to maintain and restore credibility and trust. Checklist III. Published 2016. (Icelandic)