Journal Article

Evaluating incident learning systems and safety culture in two radiation oncology departments

Beldham‐Collins, Rachael, Sykes, Jonathan, Adamson, Laura, Thwaites, David

2022

Overview

Introduction Radiation oncology patient pathways are complex. This complexity creates risk and potential for error to occur. Comprehensive safety and quality management programmes have been developed alongside the use of incident learning systems (ILSs) to mitigate risks and errors reaching patients. Robust ILSs rely on the safety culture (SC) within a department. The aim of this study was to assess perceptions and understanding of SC and ILSs in two closely linked radiation oncology departments and to use the results to consider possible quality improvement (QI) of department ILSs and SC. Methods A survey to assess perceptions of SC and the currently used ILSs was distributed to radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and radiation oncology medical physicists in the two departments. The responses of 95 staff were evaluated (63% of staff). The findings were used to determine any areas for improvement in SC and local ILSs. Results Differences were shown between the professional cohorts. Barriers to current ILS use were indicated by 67% of respondents. Positive SC was shown in each area assessed: 69% indicated the departments practised a no‐blame culture. Barriers identified in one department prompted a QI project to develop a new reporting system and process, improve departmental learning and modify the overall ILS. Conclusion An understanding of SC and attitudes to ILSs has been established and used to improve ILS reporting, feedback on incidents, departmental learning and the QA program. This can be used for future comparisons as the systems develop. The aims were to assess attitudes to and understanding of safety culture (SC) and incident learning systems (ILSs) in two closely‐linked radiation oncology departments using a customised survey. Sixty‐three per cent of staff participated. Barriers identified in one department prompted a quality improvement project to develop a new radiation oncology‐specific reporting system, with a focus on improving departmental learning and modifying the overall ILS.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc,Wiley
• Subject: Departments / Humans / Incident learning / incident reporting / Learning / Meetings / Oncology / Original / Patient Safety / Professionals / quality and safety / Quality Improvement / Radiation / Radiation Oncology / Radiation therapy / Reporting requirements / Response rates / safety culture / Safety Management - methods