Are you ready for SIRS in Home Care?
From 1 April 2021, all aged care providers were required to meet Standard 8 (3)(d) including having an incident management system.
However, from 1 July 2022, the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) will be expanded from residential care to include in-home aged care services, including HCPs, CHSP and Flexible Care Services.
The NDIS also requires registered NDIS providers to implement and maintain a system to record, manage and report incidents.
Whilst most home care organisations have a policy, forms and reporting protocols for incidents, the requirements of SIRS and NDIS demand much more than the basic approach.
In order to be ready for the commencement on 1 July 2022, most home care services will need to establish and implement a range of new systems and processes.
Assess your readiness for SIRS – Are you confident you have the following in place?
- A robust Incident Management System (IMS)
- All relevant staff have clarity on the types of incidents to be notified
- All relevant staff have the knowledge and skills regarding notification requirements
- Clarity regarding roles and responsibilities for notifications including weekends and after hours
- Documented policies and procedures
- A system and process for recording incidents
- All relevant staff trained to become notifiers
Clinical governance reporting and oversight of serious incidents
