GSS Incident Reports Check In

 

Safety incident (IR) reports are a valuable guide to planning and actions taken at GSS to reduce risk as well as increase client and staff safety. Here is a quick look at IR numbers for the first quarter of 2023 compared to averages for the past year, followed by an overview of report types and responses so far this year.

Frequency and Type Patterns

Chart A shows the number and risk level of IRs for the first three months of 2023 compared to the quarterly average from 2022. Overall, the data shows a similar pattern. The total IRs were almost the same with 199 IRs completed per quarter last year and 194 completed in the first quarter of this calendar year. The risk level patterns are also similar with most IRs being at the Medium risk level and the other risk levels following the same frequency pattern.

Chart A

IR Types in 2023

Chart B focuses on the type of medium, high, and extreme IRs in the January – March, 2023, period. Of 139 reports at those risk levels, the majority, 83 or 60%, were associated with overdose situations. Medical attention and client aggression, the next highest, made up 15% and 13% of IRs respectively. Suicide ideation and ‘other’ incident types were the remaining types at 6% each. Unfortunately, this pattern of overdoses making up the majority of IRs continues from last year.

Chart B

Incident Report Follow-Ups

IR patterns and trends are reviewed and responded to at both program and agency levels. In response to IRs for January to March, 2023, the following actions were taken:

  • Kevlar gloves are helping to increase staff safety during needle clean up at the downtown site.

  • A needle stick injury response procedure was developed and added to all program manuals.

  • Programs reviewed their work alone procedures to ensure adequate staff coverage.

  • Various types of training were organized for frontline staff in the areas of de-escalation and crisis, addictions and mental health, needle stick safety and suicide intervention.

As the latest IR data shows, incidents are an ongoing part of providing services to clients whose history includes trauma, substance misuse, and houselessness. The IR data also shows that IRs prepared by GSS staff are important guides to action that can be taken to improve staff and client safety.