Introducing Alerts Tracker™ - Fulfilling the HSE Framework for Integrated Quality, Safety and Risk Management and the DoHC Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

Health Care Informed (HCI) is now delighted to offer Alerts Tracker™, a cost effective patient safety system that automates and enhances the alert and recall management process.  Alerts Tracker™ is web-based system that electronically distributes vital information about medical device and drug alerts and recalls.  Alerts Tracker is developed by ECRI Institute, which has over 40 years experience in healthcare research.  ECRI is one of the few organisations in the world designated as both a Collaborating Centre of the World Health Organization and in the United States as an Evidence-based Practice Centre by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Dr Michael Stewart, European Director of ECRI, commented that:

“The importance of dealing with safety alerts in a timely manner has been repeatedly emphasised as a key feature of any patient safety activity.  Alerts Tracker™ provides Trusts with a systematic process for managing alerts and maximising learning from patient safety events.”

The Patient Safety Commission Report, published by the Department of Health and Children in July 2008 identified the need for rapid patient safety alert systems. Similar the HSE Integrated Quality, Safety and Risk Management framework asks organisations, under the heading Risk Management and Patient Safety:

“Are arrangements in place to ensure that Medical Device Alerts/Safety Notices are circulated to all relevant staff and are acted on?” (HSE 2009)

Alerts Tracker™ fulfils all of these requirements and improves a hospital’s ability to respond to safety alerts by automating distribution of each alert to the appropriate staff or department.

In addition, for research purposes and to offer an opportunity for international learning, a user selectable geographic filter is included in the system to allow hospitals to view alerts of potentially affected products in other countries. Users benefit from coverage of international alert information sources while saving time and attention by screening out the large number of alerts that are specific to other countries.

This web based system provides:

  • Timesaving administration—Alerts Tracker™ automatically distributes and records alerts, so recall coordinators can use their time effectively to monitor clinical department action.
  • Real-time monitoring of any device related recall activity—The dashboard feature simplifies the monitoring of recalls assigned to clinical departments or Primary Care practices. Quickly verify which tasks are completed and which need follow-up. This ensures accountability and facilitates information sharing between departments.
  • Valuable Health Devices content—ECRI Institute’s alert and recall research and recommendations are sent via weekly e-mails and distributed to affected clinical departments throughout your hospital.
  • Access to ECRI Institutes’ specialists—Call for answers to your specific questions about alerts and recalls and for assistance in training.

John Sweeney, Director at HCI commented,

“Effective management of clinical risk requires systematic monitoring of safety in products and service delivery.  HCI, in association with ECRI, is delighted to offer Alerts Tracker to the Irish healthcare sector, as an invaluable resource in enhancing patient safety.”

Alerts Tracker™ is one of a range of products and services that will be offered by HCI in Ireland in partnership with ECRI.  Other products include the Health Technology Assessment Information Service, Biomedical Benchmark™, Health Devices System and Healthcare Product Comparison System. 

For more information or a web demo please email info@hci.ie or telephone (093) 36126 | (01) 6292559.