Welcome to the DPSF Reporting System. This is the first nationwide system for collecting patient safety information in the dental profession. This site is modeled after the Anesthesia Quality Institute's Anesthesia Incident Reporting system. Your contribution to this database is most welcome and driven by the desire to improve the safety of dental care and create and support a Culture of Safety. It is designed to collect information about any patient safety event — a event, action or circumstance that leads to or has the potential to lead to worsened patient outcomes: adverse incident, near misses or unsafe conditions that have occurred in dental offices: adverse drug events, complications of any level of anesthesia (including local), device malfunctions, adverse patient reactions to dental care (allergy, syncope, etc. ) to name a few. The DPSF committees will analyze and interpret this information and swiftly report back to the dental profession regarding interesting cases, evolution of risk factors, worrisome trends, etc. In this manner, the dental profession can learn from the experience of their colleagues, and hopefully prevent future adverse events. The DPSF is a listed Patient Safety Organization. This status imposes strict federal guidelines regarding the preservation of the confidentiality of these reports. All information will be de-identified — DPSF will never reveal the identity of any patient, provider, facility or practice under these guidelines. Thank you for your contribution to patient safety. This internet portal is secure, encrypted and maintained in strictest confidence behind massive firewall isolation.

FAQ's

1. Who can report ?
   1. Any licensed dental or medical care provider involved directly with patient care may report a patient safety event
2. What can be reported ?
   1. Any adverse incident, near miss, or unsafe condition that arises during patient care
      1. An adverse incident is an event that reached the patient, whether or not the patient was injured.
      1. Examples of adverse events are [Click to expand or hide.]
         1. Inability to complete the intended procedure
         2. Failed sedation
         3. Wrong site surgery
         4. Loss of upper airway tone, and difficulty in maintaining open airway
         5. Vomiting
         6. Aspiration / Bronchospasm
         7. Laryngospasm
         8. Hyperventilation
         9. Hypoventilation, requiring drug reversal, patient stimulation or positive pressure ventilation
         10. Oxygen saturation below 90% for more than 30 seconds
         11. Hypotension / hypertension– sustained significant (> 25%) changes from baseline
         12. Syncope
         13. Cardiac rhythm disorders – hemodynamically significant tachycardia / bradycardia OR arrhythmia
         14. Agitation
         15. Prolonged recovery /delirium
         16. Myocardial infarction
         17. Patient fire
         18. Anaphylaxis
         19. Seizure
         20. Wrong drug or wrong dose
         21. Stroke
         22. Any event which caused enough concern to abort the intended procedure
      2. A near miss is an event that occurred but did not reach the patient
      3. An unsafe condition is an condition that increases the probability of a patient safety event
3. Is this information safe?
   1. YES, all information provided is privileged and confidential, as defined under the Federal Register of the United Stated Department of Health and Human Services Patient Safety and Quality Improvement; Final Rule (link)
4. How will this information be used ?
   1. All patient safety data will be aggregated and analyzed by a committee of experts. Exemplary cases may be selected for educational value, but will NOT include any identifiable patient or provider information. Results will be swiftly reported back to the dental profession to improve the quality and safety of dental care.
5. How can I report ?
   1. You can report anonymously. No identifying information will be requested and no reference number will be generated. You will not have the opportunity to future access of your report to review or amend.
   2. You are encouraged to report confidentially, where you provide contact information, giving the DPSF the ability to confidentially contact you for further information, follow-up or clarification. A confidential report will be assigned a reference number. You are encouraged contact the DPSF HERE to amend/discuss a report. (please email the person with whom you wish to discuss. A private phone call can be arranged. Link to contact us.