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PSIRF: What is SEIPS?

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.

What is System Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS)?

The System Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model is a tool that helps understand outcomes within complex socio-technical systems. It will be used in patient safety incident investigations, but the principles can also be used to guide the other PSIRF tools (SWARM huddle, AAR, MDT).

There are four versions of SEIPS, and all have similar interactive components:

  • Work system – that influences
  • Processes – that shape
  • Outcomes – that identify shared learning
  • All three parts can be adapted and interact with each other

The SEIPS tool allows for a more considered and person-centred approach, and it can be used proactively or retrospectively to help problem solve (fig 1 and 2). For more information, please see click here.