Exploring approaches to contemporary clinical incident analysis methods within acute care settings: a scoping review protocol

Objective: This review will explore the literature on contemporary incident analysis methods used in acute hospital settings, identifying types and characteristics of these methods and how they are used to minimize, prevent, or learn from errors and improve patient safety. Introduction: Safety is a major focus in health care; however, despite best efforts, errors and incidents still occur, leading to harm or potential harm to patients, families, carers, staff, or the organization. Incident analysis methods aim to reduce risk of harm. Traditional methods have been criticized for failing to consider the complexity of health care and the dynamic nature of acute care settings. Alternative methodologies are being sought to achieve higher levels of patient safety and care quality care in hospitals. Learning from errors and communicating with those involved in incidents are key requirements in contemporary incident analysis. Inclusion criteria: This review will consider empirical research published since 2013, reporting on the use of clinical incident analysis methods within acute care settings. The review will explore ways in which consumers or stakeholders (eg, clinicians or other hospital workers, patients, families, carers, visitors) have been included in these analysis methods and how data have been used to support changes in the service or organization. Methods: Following JBI methods and PRISMA-ScR reporting guidance, we will search PubMed, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Studies will be reviewed independently, with results presented in tables, figures, and narrative summaries according to the concepts of interest.