A framework of a patient safety information system for Iranian hospitals: Lessons learned from Australia, England and the US

IntroductionPatient Safety Information Systems (PSIS) are prerequisite for any patient safety program. The purpose of the study was to review PSISs in developed countries and to customize a preliminary framework for such systems for Iran.MethodsThree developed countries in the field of patient safety including the USA, England and Australia were selected and their PSISs or reporting systems were studied. In addition, 15 unstructured interviews were conducted with Iranian informants.ResultsIn the developed countries, specific regulations have been formulated regarding reporting and recording of patient safety incidents. Based on these regulations, a variety of patient safety data needs to be collected. In addition, the reportable incidents, the mechanisms of data analysis, the entities involved in the system, tools and technologies as well as feedback mechanisms have been defined well. In the field of patient safety, the Iranian health system is still in its infancy and lacks a formal information system for collecting, analyzing, disseminating and sharing patient safety information. Based on other countries’ experiences, a preliminary framework for an Iranian PSIS was suggested.ConclusionDeveloping a PSIS for Iranian hospitals is crucially needed. In this regard, Iranian hospitals and health authorities should develop standardized data sets, standard forms for reporting, mechanisms for data analysis and feedback modes.

► Iranian health system is still in early stages of implementing patient safety programs.
► Iranian hospitals lack a formal patient safety information system for collecting, analyzing, disseminating and sharing patient safety information.
► We compared several characteristics of patient safety information systems in some developed countries.
► We developed a preliminary framework for a patient safety information system for Iranian health system.