Ask ECRI: Reorganizing a Risk Management Information System

​A member whose facility was engaged in reworking its risk management information system/event reporting system recently asked for guidance regarding evidence-based resources or information on the best process for tackling such an effort. In particular, the member wanted to know about organization/design strategies, which information should be included in the system, and how to make the system easy to use for both clinical and nonclinical staff.

In our response, ECRI notes that when undertaking such an effort, one early strategy might involve meeting with current users (e.g., as a focus group or through individual interviews) to learn what does and doesn't work about the current system. The facility can then use the resulting list of challenges as...