PATIENT SAFETY, QUALITY AND RISK - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module empowers health and social care professionals to examine the factors contributing to workplace safety and the care of patients/service users, considering the influence of human factors on safety. Additionally, the module encourages students to critically assess the interplay between national patient safety policies and their impact on local guidelines and policies. Moreover, students will cultivate a critical understanding of the intricate legal and ethical issues affecting patient safety. They will also scrutinise the role of accountability in effectively managing safety and risk in the workplace.

Module provider

School of Health Sciences

Module Leader

MAGNUSSON Carin (Health Sci.)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

• National and local patient safety and risk policy.


• Regulation and quality monitoring. 


• Error reporting Human factors. 


• Adverse Incidents. 


• Professional codes of conduct and accountability.


• Critical incident analysis. 


• Open and fair cultures. 


• Decision making in relation to Patient Safety.


•  Quality and Risk. 


• Data collection and analysis in relation to service improvement and safety plans.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and awareness of theories and tools of critical incident analysis and apply this to their own practice to improve patient safety.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of: A case study (2,500 words) critically evaluating a patient safety incident utilising a range of appropriate tools. Students will examine and consider the appropriateness of the analysis tools utilised in this specific incident and apply this knowledge to their own future practice. (addresses learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Formative assessment: A short presentation outlining the case study they will discuss in their summative coursework, exploring and justifying the appropriateness of analysis tools utilised in their critical evaluation of the incident.

Feedback: Workshops and case studies. Feedback from formative assessment. Tutorials will also be offered. Throughout all the taught sessions opportunities for formative assessment and discussion will be provided through online seminars, discussion and individual feedback. This enables the student to prepare for the summative assessment. Please note that any evidence of unsafe practice or breach of confidentiality will result in an automatic refer for the module.

Module aims

• Introduce key concepts of patient safety and risk.
• Analyse the impact of human factors theory and national patient safety policy on risk reduction and workplace safety.
• Evaluate the influence of legal and ethical frameworks on safe practice, emphasising professional accountability and codes of conduct.
• Develop skills to identify, mitigate, and manage quality improvement and diverse care-related risks, whilst considering incident analysis and service improvement strategies involving stakeholders.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to enable learners to: Explore a range of theories, tools and strategies to critically analyse incidents that impact on patient safety, quality and risk within health & social care. Reflect and apply theory to their own practice, and personal & organisation learning to improve care.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures


• Workshops


• Seminars 


• Individual and Group Tutorials


• Asynchronous guided e-learning


• Discussion


• Case Studies / Scenarios


• Groupwork


• Independent Study

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: HCR3032

Other information

The school of Health Sciences is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas: Digital capabilities: This module introduces key concepts of patient safety and risk including exploring common digital platforms for incident reporting and analysis within practice. Employability: This module explores the impact of human factors theory and national patient safety policy on risk reduction and workplace safety. Understanding and applying human factors theory demonstrates a focus on practical skills that are highly relevant to the workplace. Knowledge of national patient safety policies enhances employability by ensuring alignment with industry standards and regulations. Global and cultural capabilities: This module evaluates the influence of legal and ethical frameworks on safe practice, emphasising professional accountability and codes of conduct. Considering legal and ethical frameworks in patient safety extends the perspective to a global context, as these frameworks often have international implications. Recognising cultural variations in these frameworks enhances cultural competence. Resourcefulness and Resilience: Through the module students develop critical skills to identify, mitigate, and manage quality improvement and diverse care-related risks, whilst considering incident analysis and service improvement strategies. This outcome encourages resourcefulness by requiring the identification and management of risks and resilience of individuals and organisations by promoting adaptability and problem-solving skills. Sustainability: This module considers the long-term impact of patient safety practices and risk management to create sustainable healthcare systems.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.