Importance of incident investigations when medical devices have been involved

Abstract

In a veterinary setting, incidents that involve medical devices that lead to harm or injury of an animal, or a member of veterinary staff, are rare. Nonetheless, it is important to be prepared and to learn from mistakes to minimise the likelihood of future incidents and reduce any future risk of harm. It is important to note that incidents may be caused by failures within a device itself, or to the software that it uses. Regardless, any incident should be shared with the notified body so that safety alerts can be distributed to all users. This article explores the steps needed to proceed with an investigation following an incident, and discusses when to bring in an expert for an independent opinion.