title: [The evolution of the Critical Incident Reporting System in an Austrian university hospital].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Critical Incident Reporting Systems (CIRS) are an important tool to identify potential hazards in healthcare. However, in Europe CIR systems are differently used with respect to whether its use is voluntary or mandatory. The aim of the present paper was to describe the development of the recently implemented CIRS in the University Hospital Graz.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2012, in a pilot unit CIRS was implemented within an intensive care unit. After evaluating its results, CIRS was then implemented in all organizational units of the University Hospital Graz in 2013. The definition of a CIRS report as well as the processing of CIRS reports was described in a CIRS manual.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average, 1.6 CIRS reports per week were submitted in the University Hospital Graz. Compared to data from a university hospital in Switzerland (27 CIRS reports per week), it becomes evident that, in general, CIRS is used, but the question arises whether CIRS is commonly known and whether information on the proceeding of CIRS cases is sufficiently transparent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the implementation of CIRS is relatively simple, but in order to achieve acceptance and thereby continuous reports, trust and a value-free handling of critical reports is required. Meetings with openly discussed case analysis could help to increase the awareness of CIRS among healthcare professionals. In Europe CIR systems are used in different ways. In Austria, both an academic exchange process on how to use CIRS and a common definition of CIRS reports has so far been lacking. The preparation of a guidance document for Austria is recommended.
authors: Stabsstelle Qualitäts- und Risikomanagement, LKH-Univ. Klinikum Graz, Graz, Österreich; Klinische Abteilung für Plastische, Ästhetische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Univ. Klinik für Chirurgie, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Österreich; Research Unit for Safety in Health, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Österreich. Electronic address: gerald.sendlhofer@klinikum-graz.at.
authors: Gerald
authors: G
authors: Sendlhofer
authors: Stabsstelle Qualitäts- und Risikomanagement, LKH-Univ. Klinikum Graz, Graz, Österreich; Research Unit for Safety in Health, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Österreich.
authors: Karina
authors: K
authors: Leitgeb
authors: Stabsstelle Qualitäts- und Risikomanagement, LKH-Univ. Klinikum Graz, Graz, Österreich; Research Unit for Safety in Health, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Österreich.
authors: Brigitte
authors: B
authors: Kober
authors: LKH-Univ. Klinikum Graz, Graz, Österreich.
authors: Gernot
authors: G
authors: Brunner
authors: Klinische Abteilung für Plastische, Ästhetische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Univ. Klinik für Chirurgie, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Österreich; Research Unit for Safety in Health, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Österreich.
authors: Lars-Peter
authors: LP
authors: Kamolz
mesh_terms: D001317:Austria; D005060:Europe; D005858:Germany; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D012308:Risk Management; D013557:Switzerland
keywords: Beinaheschaden; CIRS; Patient safety; Patientensicherheit; near miss