Identifying risk 'hot-spots'

A new research project is analysing risks in health service delivery in order to prevent harm.

Using data from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the research team works out ‘hot-spots’ of risk – groups of practitioners receiving a disproportionate share of notifications – to improve healthcare quality and safety.

It involves coding data about each notification, connecting that with information from the public register, and trying to classify the nature of harm. Once the team has identified ‘hot-spots’ of increased risk, the research team liaises with the professional health sector National Boards to identify which ones they would like to pursue further.

The project is a partnership between AHPRA, the 14 Boards and The University of Melbourne.