Even if control measures are put in place to help avoid a patient safety incident, there should still be means to address and manage the risk if it occurs. For example, if a patient does take a medicine intended for someone else, suffers an adverse drug reaction, or even slips and falls in the pharmacy, management may involve first aid, other medical help and/or counselling, depending on the risk. 

This would also involve managing concerns for the ‘second victim’. Staff members involved in an incident, whether a staff or patient incident, may be affected by these events well beyond the short-term management of the incident. 

Managing risks should also consider the potential for one incident to have negative knock-on effects, for example an incident causing stress or distractions that may force staff errors leading to other incidents.

It is important to consider the impact that patient safety incidents have on the staff members that are involved. Not only should they receive support to help them to heal as an individual, but offering support may reduce the risk of further incidents.