11.7 Clinical Incidents

Overview

A clinical incident is any unexpected event occurring during a clinical, simulation or laboratory learning experience that involves a student, patient, faculty member, staff member, or clinical agency and requires reporting, documentation, or follow-up.

Examples may include medication administration errors or omissions, actual or potential patient safety events, injuries, exposures, equipment-related events, or other events identified by the clinical agency or clinical faculty as requiring reporting, documentation or follow-up.

The purpose of incident reporting is to promote patient safety, support learning, ensure appropriate follow-up, and comply with clinical agency and university requirements.

Procedure

1. Students must immediately report any clinical incident to the Clinical Instructor or appropriate clinical agency personnel.

2. The Clinical Instructor will ensure that patient care needs are addressed and that applicable clinical agency reporting procedures are followed.

3. Students involved in a clinical incident may be required to complete agency and/or School of Nursing documentation under faculty supervision.

4. The Clinical Instructor will promptly notify the Lead Faculty for the Clinical Course and Clinical & Operations Manager.

5. Clinical incidents will be reviewed to determine whether additional follow-up, remediation, a Student Support Plan, or other actions are appropriate.

6. Documentation related to the incident will be maintained in accordance with School of Nursing and University policies.