Health and social care accidents

SIAF decides on launching investigations on a case-by-case basis. An investigation will be initiated if it is thought to produce significant information for improving the general safety of health and social care services. The severity of the consequences, recurrence and public significance of the incident, as well as the number of clients or patients put at risk are also factors in deciding whether or not to investigate.

Incidents leading to an investigation could include a medication error leading to the death of a patient, a suicide in a health or social care unit or immediately upon discharge, serious damage caused by incorrect medication or client and patient records, serious harm caused by problems in health or social care information systems, delivery accidents leading to the death of the mother or child or, for example, death or serious injury resulting from the use of a medical device.

Immediate notification obligation

According to the Safety Investigation Act, the Safety Investigation Authority shall be immediately notified of an event which, in the assessment of the notifying party, may require investigation in accordance with the Safety Investigation Act.

This notification obligation applies to, e.g. authorities participating in search and rescue operations at the scene of the accident, the Regional State Administrative Agency and persons who have received notification of an accident or incident.

The notification can also be filed by the representative of a hospital district, hospital, health centre or social services, or by any health or social care professional.

The purpose of a safety investigation is not to establish judicial liability. SIAF thus does not process matters related to health or social care complaints, reprimands or compensation for treatment injuries.

Safety investigations are conducted to improve the general safety of the health and social care services

SIAF conducts the investigation independently and objectively. An investigation team appointed for each specific investigation determines the course, causes and consequences of the events. It also determines whether management, supervision and auditing has been arranged and performed appropriately. An investigation includes investigating the scene of the accident, interviewing those involved and consulting documents on, for example, the organisation being investigated, its operations, and the realisation of client and patient safety. The team also has the right to obtain necessary client and patient records, also from private health and social care providers and units as well as individual health and social care professionals.

The purpose of a safety investigation is to improve the general safety of the health and social care system and services. Recommendations intended to prevent the reoccurrence of similar incidents and decrease the incidence of accidents in general are drawn up based on each safety investigation.

Further information:

Chief Safety Investigator, Dr. Hanna Tiirinki, tel. +358 29 515 0747, [email protected], @htiirinki