New MPS data identifies the top five risks to general practices in 2009

Data from MPS risk assessments conducted in over 100 general practices in the UK reveals that the top five risks practices faced during 2009 related to issues with maintaining confidentiality, health and safety, test results, prescribing, and communication.

The data was collected by analysing the results of Clinical Risk Self Assessments (CRSAs) of general practices conducted in 2009. These are provided by MPS Educational Services and involve trained clinical risk facilitators undertaking visits to practices and working with practice staff to identify risks.

Analysis of the data shows the following results.

Confidentiality
Breach of confidentiality tops the bill, as 100% of practices visited identified that they face issues relating to confidentiality. For example, the potential for patients to overhear conversations at the reception desk is an issue for many practices and changing the reception layout is not always practical. The risk assessment process helps identify other changes practices could make, such as moving sensitive conversations into a more discrete area, asking the patient on the phone to identify themselves (to avoid saying their name), and keeping voices at a low volume.

Speaking about confidentiality, Dr Stephanie Bown, Director of Communications and Policy, said: “The universal finding by all practices that they could improve patient confidentiality demonstrates what a common challenge this is in the busy primary care environment. It has been encouraging to see the changes that practices have been able to make. 

Dr Stephanie Bown adds: “General practices are busy places where there is the possibility of human and systems errors, so risks will never be eliminated entirely, however the practices we have dealt with have demonstrated a strong commitment to identifying and addressing risks and improving safe and professional services for patients.” 

Notes to editors

• Clinical Risk Self-Assessments (CRSAs) are an MPS service, which has been developed to assist practices in identifying their specific risks. CRSAs involve a pre-visit questionnaire, staff patient safety culture survey, a full day visit by a trained MPS risk assessment facilitator, confidential discussions with key members of staff, and a follow-up report detailing the findings. CRSAs can be used as preparation for CQC registration and are a benefit of MPS membership.
• The data referred to above is from 131 CRSAs undertaken from January 2009 – December 2009.
• Following these CRSAs, practices were each sent a detailed report of recommendations to address and mitigate all identified risks, including potential confidentiality breaches. The CRSA process also shares best practice examples, and identifies where practices are not fully complying with quality standards, eg, Standards for Better Health England.
• MPS also offers a range of education workshops on risk and patient safety, including a new workshop: Mastering Adverse Outcomes, which involves training in the effective and ethical management of patient care following a serious adverse outcome.