The Risk Management of HAI: A proposed Methodology for NHSScotland Consultation Document
ANNEX 3: Watt Group risk management matrix
An infection outbreak/episode (e.g., single case of rabies, Legionellae, dentist/doctor with confirmed Hepatitis B undertaking exposure prone procedures) is difficult to incorporate into the existing AS/NZS 4360:1999 Risk Management Standard because although consequences of recurrence can be established it can be difficult to ascertain the likelihood of recurrence. The Infection Control Team will quantify the infection control risk criteria and ascertain the associated risk, which will determine the appropriate action to be taken.
Four infection risk categories can be identified: Red - High Risk Orange - Moderate Risk Yellow - Low Risk Green - Very Low Risk
Criteria | Quantification Criteria | Risk Category | Action Required | Communications |
3 or more met
|
Death and/or serious illness
Major implications for public health
Exceptional or unusual infection episode
Major disruption of health and/or public services
Major public anxiety and concern
|
Red -
High Risk
|
Implement Area Major Outbreak Plan
|
Full (e.g., NHS Board, SCIEH, FSA, SEHD) and others as appropriate (e.g., Local Authority, Water Authority, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, HSE etc.)
|
1 or 2 met
|
Death and/or serious illness
Major implications for public health
Exceptional infection episode
Major disruption of health and/or public services
Major public anxiety and concern
|
Orange - Moderate Risk
|
Implement Operating Division Outbreak Plan -
Full Outbreak Control Team
|
Full (e.g., NHS Board, SCIEH, FSA, SEHD) and others as appropriate (e.g., local authority, water authority, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, HSE etc.)
|
3 or more met
|
Serious illness and/or moderate infection episode and/or cases
Moderate impact on public health
Short-term disruption of health and/or public services
Moderate public anxiety and concern
|
Yellow -
Low Risk
|
Implement Operating Division Outbreak Plan - Infection Control Team
|
Operating Division and Health Board communications
|
All 4 met
|
Minimal infection episode and/or case
Minimal impact on public health
Minimal disruption of health and/or public services
Minimal public anxiety and concern
|
Green -
Very Low Risk
|
Implementation- Infection Control Team Investigation
|
Operating Division communications
|
N.B. Infection risk category coding may vary slightly from site to site. No more than four risk categories should apply to this infection control risk matrix.