Background: The study investigates the alignment between patient complaints, litigation cases, and significant untoward incidents (SUIs) in the Coombe Hospital, Dublin, following the release of Ireland's national maternity strategy in 2016. The analysis examines data from written complaints, active formal litigation cases, and SUI reports, aiming to understand overlaps and distinctions between these categories.
Methods: A categorisation system was created based on a combination of the Health Service Executive (HSE) charter system and the Coombe Hospital complaint system. The study accessed databases maintained by the Quality Patient Safety Department, ensuring anonymity of individuals involved. All cases were individually categorized. If there was more than a single issue in a complaint it was assigned multiple codes as appropriate.
Results: Analysis of 1037 complaints, 104 litigation cases, and 124 SUIs revealed significant differences between complaints and both litigation cases (χ² = 221.4, p < 0.001) and SUIs (χ² = 263.1, p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between litigation cases and SUIs (χ² = 4.0, p = 0.14), suggesting similarities in issues leading to legal action and those classified as SUIs.
Conclusions: Investment in the SUI system is crucial for promoting a culture of learning and improvement in maternity care. By leveraging insights from SUI investigations, healthcare providers can proactively identify areas for enhancement, ultimately enhancing patient safety and potentially reducing the likelihood of litigation.