A safer future for all
The UK Health Security Agency is driving patient safety in clinical imaging, MRI and nuclear medicine. Synergy finds out how
By the UKHSA Medical Exposures Group
What is the new national taxonomy for incident learning in clinical imaging?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched a national coding taxonomy specifically for incident learning in clinical imaging, MRI and nuclear medicine. This system is designed to enhance patient safety by providing a structured way to report, analyse and learn from incidents, including both notifiable and non-notifiable events, as well as near misses.
Why was there a need for such a system?
Prior to this initiative, there was no national system dedicated to analysing and learning from incidents in clinical imaging, MRI and nuclear medicine. The Clinical Imaging Board recognised this gap and tasked the Medical Exposures Group at the UKHSA with developing a comprehensive national incident learning system.
What is the new national taxonomy for incident learning in clinical imaging?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched a national coding taxonomy specifically for incident learning in clinical imaging, MRI and nuclear medicine. This system is designed to enhance patient safety by providing a structured way to report, analyse and learn from incidents, including both notifiable and non-notifiable events, as well as near misses.
Why was there a need for such a system?
Prior to this initiative, there was no national system dedicated to analysing and learning from incidents in clinical imaging, MRI and nuclear medicine. The Clinical Imaging Board recognised this gap and tasked the Medical Exposures Group at the UKHSA with developing a comprehensive national incident learning system.
How does the system benefit clinical staff and departments?
By focusing on the causes of incidents rather than assigning blame, the system encourages open reporting and learning. It provides a streamlined approach for analysing incidents and near misses, helping staff to identify trends and take preventive measures. This refined system supports clinical staff in reporting incidents in a standardised way and strengthens the reporting culture within departments.
Why should you get involved?
Start using the national coding system for incident learning so that you don’t miss out on significant opportunities to: improve patient safety, to foster a positive safety culture and comply with regulatory requirements. Taking part will also enhance your department's ability to benefit from shared learning and data analysis, which are essential for proactive risk management and continuous improvement in clinical practices.
How does the system benefit clinical staff and departments?
By focusing on the causes of incidents rather than assigning blame, the system encourages open reporting and learning. It provides a streamlined approach for analysing incidents and near misses, helping staff to identify trends and take preventive measures. This refined system supports clinical staff in reporting incidents in a standardised way and strengthens the reporting culture within departments.
What might you miss out on by not participating?
By not using the refined national coding taxonomy for incident learning, you may miss out on significant opportunities to: improve patient safety, foster a positive safety culture and comply with regulatory requirements. It also limits your department's ability to benefit from shared learning and data analysis, which are essential for proactive risk management and continuous improvement in clinical practices.
How will the system be implemented and how will data be used?
The taxonomy will be applied locally by staff familiar with the coding; this may be a quality assurance radiographer or the individual responsible for reviewing the incident. This data will be included in the local incident report systems and voluntarily shared with the UKHSA for national analysis. Anonymised incident data will be extracted from systems such as the Learning From Patient Safety Events system in NHS England and Once for Wales in Wales, and shared with the UKHSA for national analysis. Clinical providers in the independent sector, Northern Ireland and Scotland can voluntarily share anonymised incident data directly with the UKHSA.
How will the learning from incidents be disseminated?
The UKHSA will analyse the submitted data and publish the findings through e-bulletins, triannual analyses and biennial reports. This will provide opportunities for clinical departments to learn from a greater pool of data, supporting a reduction in the magnitude and probability of incidents.
What should departments do to start using this system?
Departments should begin by familiarising themselves with the user guide and national coding taxonomy published by the UKHSA. They can implement the coding in their incident reporting processes and start contributing data to the UKHSA for analysis. Engaging with the system will help departments benchmark their local incidents against the national picture and improve patient safety practices.
For more details contact the Medical Exposures Group at the UKHSA via MedicalExposures@ukhsa.gov.uk or visit UKHSA Protection Services.
How will the system be implemented and how will data be used?
The taxonomy will be applied locally by staff familiar with the coding; this may be a quality assurance radiographer or the individual responsible for reviewing the incident. This data will be included in the local incident report systems and voluntarily shared with the UKHSA for national analysis. Anonymised incident data will be extracted from systems such as the Learning From Patient Safety Events system in NHS England and Once for Wales in Wales, and shared with the UKHSA for national analysis. Clinical providers in the independent sector, Northern Ireland and Scotland can voluntarily share anonymised incident data directly with the UKHSA.
How will the learning from incidents be disseminated?
The UKHSA will analyse the submitted data and publish the findings through e-bulletins, triannual analyses and biennial reports. This will provide opportunities for clinical departments to learn from a greater pool of data, supporting a reduction in the magnitude and probability of incidents.
What should departments do to start using this system?
Departments should begin by familiarising themselves with the user guide and national coding taxonomy published by the UKHSA. They can implement the coding in their incident reporting processes and start contributing data to the UKHSA for analysis. Engaging with the system will help departments benchmark their local incidents against the national picture and improve patient safety practices.
For more details contact the Medical Exposures Group at UKHSA via MedicalExposures@ukhsa.gov.uk or visit UKHSA Protection Services.
More about the UKHSA
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) prevents, prepares for and responds to infectious diseases, and environmental hazards, to keep all communities safe. It provides scientific and operational leadership, working with local, national and international partners to protect the public's health and build the nation's health security capability.
The UKHSA national coding taxonomy for clinical imaging, MRI and nuclear medicine gives radiographers a structured way to report, analyse and learn from incidents, including both notifiable and non-notifiable events, as well as near misses.
You can access the national coding taxonomy here. User guidance for the taxonomy can be found here.
For more details contact the Medical Exposures Group at UKHSA via MedicalExposures@ukhsa.gov.uk or visit UKHSA Protection Services.
Image credit: Getty Images
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