Policy and guideline for Adverse patient safety events

About the policy

This policy outlines individual, health service and Safer Care Victoria responsibilities when responding to an adverse patient safety event.

The policy provides health services with:

• key definitions related to adverse event management  
• notification requirements for sentinel events  
• expectations and accountabilities of health services and Safer Care Victoria when responding to adverse events, including the identifying, reporting, notifying, reviewing and monitoring of these adverse events. 

The policy incorporates guidance for managing all types of adverse patient safety events, and amendments to the Health Legislation Amendment (Quality and Safety) Bill 2021. The policy also references the Victorian Duty of Candour Guidelines, and Protections for serious adverse patient safety event review requirements.

Download the guidance and policy >

Who this applies to

This policy applies to all Victorian health services, including services under their governance structure. This includes:

• public health services
• public hospitals 
• multi-purpose services 
• denominational hospitals 
• Ambulance Victoria 
• Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare)
• bush nursing centres (publicly funded).

This policy is recommended best practice for the following private health providers: 

• private hospitals 
• day procedure centres 
• non-emergency patient transport (NEPT) service 
• first aid services.

Adverse event reporting and review accountabilities

Feedback

We would be pleased to received your feedback on the policy and guideline to assist us with future edits.