Did you know that a provider’s Unusual Incident (UI) process requires more than writing up an incident report? Learn more about the provider requirements for the UI process, and help ensure the safety and wellbeing of those we serve.
UI Reports Are Just the Beginning. Build Strong Plans That Prevent MUIs. While providers are required to document every UI on an incident report, they are also required to notify guardians and relevant team members of the incident, investigate for cause and contributing factors, and then develop a prevention plan for reoccurrence.
UI Prevention Plans
UI prevention plans should be developed in the team process and treated just as importantly as the development of MUI prevention plans. These prevention plans should be verifiable, address all identified Cause & Contributing factors, followed up on to ensure effectiveness, and may even require an update to the Ohio ISP.
A strong UI prevention plan can prevent an MUI from occurring in the future. Here some keys to a strong UI prevention plan:
- Consulting with various members of the team for input (Don’t forget the individual and/or guardian if applicable).
- Develop a consensus for a plan that addresses each of the identified cause/contributing factors.
- Make sure the plan is specific: Identify who is going to do what, when, where, and how in the prevention plan is to be implemented.
- Set up a timeframe to review with the team whether the prevention plan is effective, adjust or discontinue if necessary.
UI Trends and Patterns
Did you know that Unusual Incidents can also have identified Trends and Patterns just like MUIs. UI trends and patterns are identified as follows:
- 3 UIs for the same or similar issues in one week
- 5 UIs for the same or similar issues in one month
- Any other pattern of UIs that the team deems is a risk to health & welfare to the individual
If a provider or other team identifies an UI trend or pattern, that member should notify the SSA of the issue and that trend and pattern needs addressed in the Ohio ISP
