The Ministry of Health released their 2013-2014 Annual Report on Monday, July 28, 2014, and given what SUN members have been telling Provincial for the past year the results are of little surprise.
 
The total number of Critical Incidents reported – 195 – is the largest since reporting began in 2005. This represents a 21.1% one-year increase over 2012-2013, and a 53.5% two-year increase over 2011-2012. More than half of all Critical Incidents were once again defined as Care Management incidents.
 
“When we look at the concerns members have been raising, the results of our recent membership survey on Lean and now these increases in Critical Incident numbers, it paints a worrying picture of how patient safety continues to be a major concern in our province,” says Denise Dick, SUN First Vice-President.
 
Among Environmental Events, the vast majority were related to falls and restraints. Of 37 Events, 20 (54%) were patient Deaths From a Fall, another 7 (19%) were restraint-related, and 2 (5%) were due to Delay or Failure to Reach Patient.
 
Of the Care Management events that were specifically identified, Medication/Fluid Errors accounted for the largest category (31%), followed by Diagnosis Error (18%), Stage 3-4 Pressure Ulcers (14%), Full-term Fetal or neo-natal Death or Serious Disability (14%), Hemolytic Reaction due to Blood or Blood Products (6%) and Delay/Failure to Transfer (4%). More than 30% of Care Management events were categorized simply as “Other”.
 
“As registered nurses – we are the early warning system for healthcare in our province. When registered nurses are raising red flags about decreases in patient safety, and time for direct patient care and clinical education, as well as a decrease in morale and engagement, we need to act on those concerns,” adds Dick.
 
SUN views this significant increase in Critical Incidents reports as a strong indication there is a growing concern among healthcare providers, including registered nurses that patient safety is at risk. Concerns about patient safety are not new to SUN; members have been raising red flags for decades. The results found in this report are yet another form of validation that registered nurse fears are real and need to be addressed before we see any improvements in these statistics. A complete picture of members concerns and survey results outlining declines in patient care and safety can be found in the special feature within the August 2014 issue of SUNSpots.
 
“A wealth of Canadian and international research consistently points to a direct, positive correlation between improved patient safety and outcomes, and ensuring patients are matched with appropriately qualified care providers at the right time,” notes Dick. “Registered nurses need to continue to advocate for their patients and clients and have the courage to speak up when patient safety is concerned.”

SUN Provincial continues to look at current and new avenues to address members’ concerns through our Professional Practice, Labour Relations and Government Relations teams. Members should feel encouraged and empowered to stay connected with SUN Provincial and forward their concerns and patients safety stories through SUN’s Member Voices section of the website (sun-nurses.sk.ca/member-voices).
 
Red the full report:  http://finance.gov.sk.ca/PlanningAndReporting/2013-14/201314HealthAnnualReport.pdf
 
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