The Health Information and Quality Authority today published the results of the evaluation of STARSweb, the Internet hosted incident reporting and claims administration system used in public acute hospitals to report errors, near misses and clinical incidents. The system is aimed at supporting patient safety systems. 

In order to maximise the benefit of the STARSweb system, which was introduced in Ireland in 2004, it was necessary to assure the quality and integrity of the data inputted and information generated.

As a result, the three principal stakeholders involved in the evaluation – the Health Information and Quality Authority, the Health Service Executive, and the Clinical Indemnity Scheme of the State Claims Agency – collectively instigated a collaborative review.

The evaluation included a literature review, a data quality audit of the STARSweb system, a survey of staff using the system, and interviews with healthcare enterprises.

It was determined that the information submitted via the STARSweb system was found in general to be appropriate, but that data submitted was not as comprehensive as it ought to be."

The evaluation identified that the majority of the incidents logged are minor in nature and are reported primarily by nursing staff. It is recognised that reporting from the system at national level is underdeveloped and therefore major learning opportunities are lost. However, it is acknowledged that there is significant potential for addressing this issue and the recommendations contained within the report address this.

Although future development of the system is required, the evaluation found that the STARSweb system is appropriate for the collection of data relating to clinical incidents.

It also recommends that reporting issues in healthcare institutions be addressed. The report identifies 15 specific recommendations relating to the Clinical Indemnity Scheme, the Health Service Executive, and the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Ends.

Further Information: 

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

01 8047651 / 086 2447623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie