Significant Event Audit

We are all involved in these at both an individual and practice level.

An account of a significant event audit should comprise:

Title of the event
Date of the event
Date the event was discussed and the roles of those present
Description of the event involving the general practitioner
What went well?
What could have been done better?

Reflections on the event in terms of:

Knowledge, Skills and Performance
Safety and quality
Communication, partnership and teamwork
Maintaining trust

What changes have been agreed:

For me personally
For the team
Changes carried out and their effect

Once again the e.Portfolio will have forms that will include these fields.

Practical Advice

This is not just about what went badly but is equally useful to look at what went well. Reflect on your personal experience and if you were not involved, it can be helpful to participate in discussing a significant event. The key issues are the refection, learning and potentially implementation of actions that result from the discussion.

Remember your Significant Event Audit may become part of any medicolegal process - record carefully bearing this in mind

Locums often find difficulty in this area. Locums can look at individual events and reflect on them and discuss them at their locum group for example. Also other practices should be approached to see if you could attend one of their significant event meetings.

NFW April 2009