The PHTS e-SREO

2/5/2010

We all understand the importance of collecting data on employee incidents and how this can lead to better decisions on how to correct the underlying causes. The PHTS e-SREO makes it possible for PHTS to speed up the notification process, eliminate the hassle of handling paper forms, and increase the amount and type of data collected. The e-SREO was rolled out in 2009 and the initiative continues to progress. PHTS risk management and information technology staff are working one-on-one with PHT members, each of which are in different stages of testing and use of the e-SREO. LeJune Cantrell, RN COHN, employee health nurse, Laurens County Health Care System, had the following to say about the PHTS e-SREO: “The electronic SREOs are a vast improvement for various reasons: Forms are always readily available to anyone in the facility, which eliminates the employee having to search for someone who may have the form. Employee Health and the designated supervisor receive immediate notification at the time of SREO submission. PHTS is notified immediately as well, which eliminates the need for a phone call. Supervisors have to investigate the event and then complete their portion of the report. The system will send reminders until the forms are complete. Capability of sending an electronic copy of the event to management or risk manager when need is identified. Capability of retrospective review of the numbers and departments of events by month. Employee Health is the onsite administrator for the SREO, which provides for onsite maintenance of the Supervisors’ list and availability of copies of SREOs as needed. There is always a negative to any positive experience and suggestions for improvement can be identified. I have experienced the following: Managers and staff sometime forget to send the signed copy of the SREO to Employee Health. With the electronic notification, the Employee Health Nurse can request that it be sent to the department to meet OSHA requirements of a signature of the injured employee on the report. Our report is not password protected for electronic signatures. Supervisors forget their password, but Employee Health has capability to reset the password as needed. As you can see, the benefits far outweigh any negative concerns…I highly recommend the online reporting system. It is a simplified method of reporting and streamlines follow-up with the reported injury.” For more information or for assistance with using the PHTS e-SREO, please contact Wendy G. Stephenson, MS, ARM, CPHRM, ASP, vice president, risk management at PHTS, at wstephenson@phts.com.