Notification and Learning System for Patient Safety (SINASP): Current Situation in Ferrol Primary Care

Abstract

Background: In 2013, the Galician Health Service (SERGAS) adapted the Patient Health Notification and Learning System (SiNASP) to health centres. Due to its novelty, it is necessary to know the state of use of this tool and its determinants. The objective of this work was to describe the knowledge of health professionals in Primary Health Care and reception of the (SiNASP), in the health centres where has been implemented in the district of Ferrol (A Coruña). 

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. 76 care professionals were surveyed (<=0.05, d=±3,3%)

in 3 primary health care centres in Ferrol. Questio-nnaires were delivered to the health professionals with the information document after obtaining permission from the ethics committee. Collection point as set up for their deposit in a sealed envelope. 

Results: Health professionals know this Reporting and Learning System for Patient Safety (78.9%), and a small percentage of professionals claimed to have made any notification in the system (9.2%). Training is low (22.7% do some course); there is a high degree of interest in training courses (72%). More than half of professionals who do not use the Reporting and Learning System for Patient Safety do not know how to handle it (52.2%). In relation to the barriers that could prevent performing notifications, lack of time is the main point (51.5%). Health professionals believe that the system is a useful tool and the reporting of adverse events is important, regardless of the system used for it.

Conclusions: It is needed to expand the culture of safety and training to improve the detection and reporting of incidents, considering that, nowadays, there is underreporting and low perception of adverse events. In addition, the health care loads should be reviewed to determine whether the lack of time could stop the reporting of incidents.