By Ian Quinn
More trusts are reporting patient safety incidents but few patients are dying, says the National Patient Safety Agency.
Latest figures reveal instances of death, severe and moderate harm are falling, although the total number of patient safety incidents reported to the NPSA between 1 October 2009 – 31 March 2010 increased of 4% compared to the previous reporting period (April – September 2009).
The NPSA said the number of trusts that have reported incidents increased from 99% to 99.7%.
The volume of patient safety incidents that have occurred and resulted in severe harm or death has dropped from 3,572 to 3,509 during the same period.
Director of Patient Safety Dr Suzette Woodward said: ‘Trusts across England are reporting more patient safety incidents to us, giving the service an even greater opportunity to learn and to ensure the risk of repeated episodes are minimised as much as possible.'
