The Critical Incident Regulations, 2023, outlined in Chapter P-30.3 REG 2 of the Provincial Health Authority Act, was adopted on April 20, 2023. This set of regulations aims to standardize the reporting, investigation, and follow-up procedures for critical incidents occurring within the facilities and services under the Provincial Health Authority and related health care organizations.

The regulations are officially named “The Critical Incident Regulations, 2023.” They define key terms such as “Act” referring to The Provincial Health Authority Act, and “guideline” meaning the Saskatchewan Critical Incident Reporting Guideline, 2023. This guideline is integral to these regulations, and the minister is tasked with ensuring its public accessibility and awareness.

When a critical incident occurs within a provincial health authority facility or service, it must be reported to the minister in writing. The notice should follow the format in Appendix C of the guideline and include details such as the incident’s facts, the affected individual’s health status before and after the event, actions taken by the authority, and whether the incident was reported to any external organization. It is crucial that this notice maintains confidentiality by omitting identifiable information about individuals or health care providers.

The provincial health authority is required to investigate each critical incident and prepare a comprehensive report following the format in Appendix D of the guideline. This report should describe the incident, identify contributing practices or procedures, and outline corrective actions and recommendations. The authority must submit this report to the minister promptly and provide updates on the implementation of recommended actions.

Health care organizations must notify the provincial health authority of any critical incidents in their facilities or services. The notice should include the affected individual’s personal details, incident facts, health status before and after the event, and actions taken by the organization. Similar to the provincial health authority, health care organizations must ensure confidentiality and submit their notices within 3 business days.

Upon receiving the notice, the provincial health authority must inform the minister within 3 business days, including the same details as required from health care organizations. Both parties collaborate on investigating the incident and preparing a detailed report. This report, once completed, is submitted to the minister, who may request further clarification or additional information if necessary.

The cancer agency follows similar procedures for reporting and investigating critical incidents. It must notify the minister of any incidents within its facilities or services and prepare a detailed report as outlined in Appendix D of the guideline. The cancer agency must also ensure that its reports do not identify individuals involved and provide updates on the implementation and effectiveness of recommended actions.

Source: Saskatchewan (OIC 165/2023) April 28, 2023