An evaluation of the formalised AcciMap approach for accident analysis in healthcare

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents a field workshop organised by the Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) focusing on the evaluation of the formalised AcciMap approach by patient safety practitioners of the National Health Service (NHS). Participants who were experienced in incident analysis relating to patient safety and risk management across different NHS boards but had no prior knowledge using the AcciMap approach were recruited for a case study analysis (Wrong Patient) (Chassin and Becher in Ann Intern Med 136:826–833, 2002). They were subsequently divided into three teams after introduction and training, where each team performed an independent case analysis. AcciMap outcomes produced indicated both similar and varying contributing factors identified by each team. This was also reflected in their formulation of safety recommendations. Their findings were then compared with each other (reliability) and with external review (validity). Based on results obtained from the survey instrument distributed after the exercise and focus discussions, the AcciMap approach was generally perceived as intuitive and a potentially relevant toolkit for incident investigations. However, questions were raised particularly regarding the usability (ease of use) in conducting analyses compared RCA techniques.