[Implementation Report: Attempt for a Decision of Priorities in Measures to Prevent Recurrence of Low-level Incidents Using Priority Monitoring Score].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to attempt to make a decision on priorities in measures to prevent recurrence of previously reported low-level incidents using the priority monitoring score.

METHODS

A survey of the low-level incidents reported over the past 5 years in the department of radiation therapy was conducted among 7 radiological technologists. From the results of the survey, the priority monitoring score was calculated by multiplying each score of the potential incident level, the occurrence frequency, and the detectability. Additionally, the relationship between the priority monitoring score and each factor was investigated.

RESULTS

From the results of a survey of 67 low-level incidents, the mean+standard deviation (23.1) of the priority monitoring score was set as the threshold for a decision of priorities. The strongest correlation was observed between the priority monitoring score and the potential incident level (a correlation coefficient, r=0.74).

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that the possibility of prioritizing the decision of low-level incidents that require measures to prevent recurrence be considered by setting the threshold for the priority monitoring score. On the other hand, the reporting requirements and the level classification for incidents vary among facilities. Therefore, the threshold for the decision of priorities needs to be considered in each facility.