PSIRF: What is After Action Review?

March 26, 2024

As you will be aware, the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) will replace the Serious Incident Framework on the Monday 1 April – click here to find out more.

After Action Review (AAR) is a structured, facilitated discussion of an event, the outcome of which gives the individuals involved in the event understanding of why the outcome differed from that expected and generates learning to assist improvement. It is a highly adaptable process, suitable to increase learning after a wide range of events. Templates to prepare for and record AAR learning should not constrain the reflective nature of the AAR process as the participants learn from each other’s expectations and lived reality and identify solutions for the future within their own sphere of control as well as generate ideas for the team and organisation. All AARs follow a four-question model as below and should be led by a trained “AAR Conductor” who actively creates and maintains a high-quality and inclusive learning environment.

As part of the PSIRF launch, we will be hosting drop-in sessions which will allow colleagues to be better understand the key features of PSIRF and how it will benefit them, learn about incident reporting procedures as well as engage with the Patient Safety team.