Action by the Occupational Risk Prevention Services in response to second victims

Abstract

Introduction: Safety incidents, regardless of the harm they may cause to the patient, can have serious consequences for the healthcare professionals involved, affecting their mental and physical health and turning them into secondary victims.

Method: Creation of a working group formed by the Quality Unit and the Occupational Risk Prevention Service to agree on actions. The following points were determined: notification, worker action, SPRL action, information, monitoring and control, and dissemination of the procedure. Confidentiality was guaranteed throughout the process. Collaboration with the ‘Quality and Patient Safety Culture’ Working Group. The procedure was approved by the Hospital Management and disseminated through the Sanidad Madrid training application.

Results: Creation of a systematic response by the Occupational Risk Prevention Service to any request from a worker involved in an adverse event, medical error and/or patient-related injury during their professional activity. Development of a database by the Occupational Risk Prevention Service, which will enable its registration, analysis and improved management.

Conclusions: Having a specific protocol in place allows for early, appropriate and multidisciplinary care to be provided to affected professionals. It also facilitates support, monitoring and accompaniment for professionals in critical moments and situations. Conduct an investigation with the bodies involved to analyse what happened and prevent similar events in the future.