Safety Net will help identify near-miss event patterns - safety net - Brief Article

AORN Journal,  July, 2003  

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Safety Net, AORN's near-miss reporting system, is being used to collect information about near-miss events in perioperative settings across the nation. AORN will analyze this information as part of its ongoing efforts to inform its members and other perioperative clinicians about strategies that can be used to prevent medical errors in perioperative settings.

A specific methodology to analyze the data has not yet been determined. AORN is collecting both quantitative and qualitative information and will need to develop methodologies to examine trends in both modalities; however, as the value of the data Lies in the stories of the events, AORN will report themes and contributing factors.

All data that is submitted to Safety Net remains anonymous. In addition, the database design is such that each variable is stored in a unique location, so it is not possible to identify individual institutions. Data will be aggregated and not evaluated individually. The purpose of Safety Net is to identify and communicate patterns in the near-miss data that suggest a need for new standards or procedures.

Nurses and other perioperative clinicians are encouraged to use this reporting system to ensure the quality of the data. Safety Net can be accessed via the Patient Safety First web site at http://www. patientsafetyfirst.org/safetynet.htm or via AORN Online at http://www.aorn.org.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group