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| Outlook tags | IRICSW$i0 (safety alert – general), IRICSW$i4 (national patient safety alert) |
| Reference: | NatPSA/2023/010/MHRA |
| Subject: | Medical beds, trolleys, bed rails, bed grab handles and lateral turning devices: risk of death from entrapment or falls |
NHS Patient Safety has published the attached National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA) in England. Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is NHS-I’s counterpart in Scotland and HIS would normally cascade the alert through its own network. However, this alert deals with equipment issues and it has therefore been delegated to IRIC for cascade through the Equipment Co-ordinator network.
The alert applies across the UK and within Scotland and it should be implemented by local authorities, health boards and contractors providing publicly funded health and social care services.
IMPORTANT
Onward cascade
As the nominated person for your organisation, you need to identify managers and staff in your organisation who need to know or be aware of this alert and cascade it onward to them. The cascade should include all contractors and private or independent service providers who provide affected care, staff, equipment, buildings or other services or facilities for the direct care of patients or service users.
Adverse Incidents
Incidents and near-misses should always be reported to local incident management systems (often referred to as Datix, Ullyses, SHE, etc.). However, IRIC also needs to be informed about incidents and near-misses when they involve:
- Medical devices (e.g. infusion pump, central line, hoist, care bed, x-ray machine, ventilator)
- In vitro diagnostic devices or IVDs (e.g. blood analyser, reagent, SARS-CoV-2 test kit)
- Estates and facilities (e.g. electrical installations, window restrictors, nurse call systems)
- Social care equipment (e.g. mobile wheeled commode, powered rise and recline chair)
- Personal protective equipment or PPE (e.g. visors, FFP3 respirators, aprons)
We need incident reports so we can work with manufacturers and our partners to stop the same thing happening again. Health and care professionals can also report safety concerns about equipment and devices when an incident or near-miss has yet to occur. Information about how to report an incident to IRIC can be found here: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/health-facilities/incidents-and-alerts/report-an-incident/
Enquiries
If you have any enquiries in relation to this alert please email nss.iric@nhs.scot quoting the alert reference number in the message subject line, or call the IRIC Helpline 0131 275 7575. Alternatively, if you have received this message from someone in your own organisation, please direct all enquiries to them and they will liaise with IRIC as required.
Incident Reporting & Investigation Centre (IRIC)
Facilities Division
NHSScotland Assure
NHS National Services Scotland
Tel: 0131 275 7575|nss.iric@nhs.scot | Report an incident | Find safety alerts | IRIC | Turas Learn
We are NHS National Services Scotland. We offer a wide range of services and together we provide national solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland. Find out more about our services at www.nss.nhs.scot
FAC406-265, 7D(iv), Rev 4