Safe in their hands: A national survey to explore the management of the safety alert broadcast system in the UK
Clinical Governance: An International Journal
ISSN: 1477-7274
Article publication date: 8 August 2008
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the management of the safety alert broadcast system (SABS) in England.
Design/methodology/approach
This survey was part of a multi‐method study which was undertaken over an 18‐month period. The questionnaire was sent to every trust SABS liaison officer (SLO) (n=561) in England using the DH database. In total, 343 completed questionnaires were electronically returned, a response rate of 62 per cent.
Findings
SABS is the means by which safety alerts from key agencies are electronically distributed to the NHS in England. Each organisation is required to have a named SLO who is required to acknowledge receipt on the Department of Health web site, indicate whether action is under way and finally confirm that action is complete. It offers a profile of this important segment of the workforce, over half of whom work in risk management, and 65 per cent of whom have no clinical background. Most spend very little of their working week managing the system itself, and are entirely dependent on the word of other managers to indicate that the trust has completed all action. Whilst the system is liked by the SLOs, concerns are expressed about the level of responsibility they are expected to assume.
Practical implications
Trusts may wish to consider the role in the light of the increasing number and complexity of the alerts being managed.
Originality/value
The paper offers a unique insight into the role and profile of those managing the interface between trusts and the patient safety team at the Department of Health.
Keywords
Citation
Lankshear, A., Lowson, K. and Saxby, R.C. (2008), "Safe in their hands: A national survey to explore the management of the safety alert broadcast system in the UK", Clinical Governance: An International Journal, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 208-214. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777270810892629
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited