What is the name of your organization?
Mount Sinai Health System
What is the name of your solution?
SafetyRoom
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Healthcare incident reporting system with built-in protocols and trainings to reduce adverse events in hospitals in low- and middle-income countries
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
New York, NY, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
USA
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Each year, an estimated 134 million adverse events occur annually in hospitals in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), contributing to approximately 2.6 million deaths. Patient harm not only affects individual lives but also poses a major economic burden, reducing global economic growth by 0.7% annually and generating indirect costs that reach trillions of US dollars worldwide. In LMICs, where healthcare resources are often limited, these financial burdens place immense strain on already fragile health systems by necessitating additional medical interventions and diverting resources that could be utilized more effectively elsewhere. A WHO study conducted in 26 hospitals across eight LMICs found that 83% of the adverse events in healthcare facilities were preventable. This study also revealed that inadequate training or supervision of clinical staff was the most common contributing factor to adverse events, followed by the absence or ineffective implementation of relevant protocols and guidelines. The findings of this study showed that most adverse events were driven by system and process failures rather than resource shortages, emphasising the critical need to strengthen patient safety and implement targeted tools in LMICs to track, analyse, learn from, and respond to patient harm.
What is your solution?
We have developed a novel mobile app-based incident reporting system tailored to the usability needs of low- and middle-income countries, featuring integrated protocols and training. Designed for accessibility, the app does not require login from hospital computers, making it functional in settings without reliable computer access. Its user-friendly interface streamlines reporting process by minimizing typing and simplifying inputs into easy click-based selections. To improve accuracy of reporting, the app's typing component is highly structured, minimizing free-text entry while ensuring essential details for incident analysis are captured. Recognizing the challenges of underreporting and a prevailing culture of blame, this app was designed as a hybrid solution. It not only facilitates incident reporting but also provides guidance in certain emergency situations, creating a safer and more supportive environment. Built-in protocols address common scenarios such as needlestick injuries, patient falls, blood transfusion reactions, and medication errors, guiding staff take appropriate action. It also incorporates an incident analysis feature that evaluates the severity of harm, with high-risk cases triggering immediate alerts to the responsible person to ensure prompt intervention. To support effective adoption, the app will be integrated with patient safety trainings for healthcare workers, featuring a combination of lectures and interactive modules.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
The SafetyRoom incident reporting system is designed for healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where structured systems for monitoring adverse events are often lacking. In the Sub-Saharan Africa alone, there are approximately 98,000 public health facilities. Yet, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 10% of countries in the African region have systems to define and classify patient safety incidents, and just 5% have adopted digital strategies focused on patient safety. In high-income countries, incident reporting is a standard practice used to identify and address errors, near misses, and unexpected events in hospitals. The WHO action plan, “Towards eliminating avoidable harm in health care”, states that at least 60% of healthcare facilities nationwide should have such system in place. SafetyRoom is created specifically for hospitals in LMICs. By promoting transparency and accountability through trainings, SafetyRoom empowers frontline staff to report incidents. It also includes built-in protocols for common clinical incidents, guiding healthcare workers to respond effectively, prevent further harm, and apply standard practices. As reports are analyzed, healthcare facilities can identify trends, act on root causes, and implement targeted interventions. This leads to a measurable reduction in preventable adverse events and improved patient outcomes.