Table 2 Frequency of safety incident categories

Accidents/Equipment/Infrastructure

Patient trip/fall

23 (8.6%)

Equipment malfunction

7 (2.7%)

Failure to use equipment appropriately

7 (2.7%)

Health and Safety measures inadequate

5 (1.9%)

Failure to dispose of sharps and clinical waste appropriately

1 (0.4%)

Exposure to blood

2 (0.7%)

Exposure to harmful substances

1 (0.4%)

Other

3 (1.1%)

Unspecified

1 (0.4%)

Subtotal

50 (18.6%)

Documentation

Patient record inadequate

3 (1.1%)

Failure to document diagnosis/prognosis

1 (0.4%)

Patient record misplaced

3 (1.1%)

Records confused, treated wrong patient

5 (1.9%)

Failure to gain consent

1 (0.4%)

Other

5 (1.9%)

Subtotal

18 (6.7%)

Examination/Assessment

Incorrect diagnosis

8 (3%)

Investigation undertaken to detriment of patient

5 (1.9%)

Significant pathology missed

6 (2.2%)

Case history inadequate, missed secondary condition

4 (1.5%)

Over-exposure of film

1 (0.4%)

Failure to request X-ray report

1 (0.4%)

Failure in referral process

1 (0.4%)

Other

11 (4.1%)

Unspecified

2 (0.7%)

Subtotal

39 (14.6%)

Treatment/Management

Patient experienced post-treatment distress/pain

76 (28.4%)

Wrong positioning of patient during treatment

5 (1.9%)

Patient experienced significant post-treatment effects e.g. neurological problem, disc prolapsed

14 (5.2%)

Patient experienced negative effects during treatment e.g. fracture rib or clavicle

22 (8.2%)

Suggested drugs to patient which had adverse effect

1 (0.4%)

Did not modify treatment plan to take account of patient preferences or health needs

8 (3%)

Slow to refer after patient did not respond to treatment

2 (0.7%)

Other

13 (4.9%)

Unspecified

6 (2.2%)

Subtotal

147 (54.9%)

Other

Unspecified

14 (5.2%)

Subtotal

14 (5.2%)

Total SIs

268