Radiotherapy Event Data

UKHSA receives voluntary, anonymised patient safety radiotherapy event (RTE) data from all UK NHS radiotherapy providers and the independent sector. Reports are shared via Learning from Patient Safety Events (NHS England), Once for Wales (NHS Wales), or directly to UKHSA.

Radiotherapy providers utilise the National Patient Safety Radiotherapy Event (NPSRTE) Taxonomy to code RTE reports locally. The use of a coding taxonomy allows for effective categorization, analysis, and identification of thematic trends, both locally and nationally.

RTE data is collated in the UK Radiotherapy Event Learning System (RELS), creating one of the most comprehensive RTE databases in the world.

The radiotherapy team in UKHSA analyse the RTE data received to enhance patient safety and promote continual improvement by disseminating identified learning with the UK radiotherapy community.

The radiotherapy team, in conjunction with the Patient Safety in Radiotherapy Steering Group (PSRT) share learning and analysis via Safer Radiotherapy publications.

Tips on effective taxonomy coding: Guidance on appropriate and effective use of the NPSRTE Taxonomy can be found here. A handy excel code finding reference document can be downloaded here.

Radiotherapy Event Image

  • Classification level - describes the severity of the RTE
  • Radiotherapy pathway codes - describes where in the pathway the RTE has occurred (primary) and traversed prior to detection (additional)
  • Method of detection - describes how the RTE is identified. Use entire radiotherapy pathway subcode list
  • Contributory factors - describe a system failure or condition that precipitated the RTE
  • Modality - Describes the type of radiotherapy treatment
  • Text description - include appropriate description of the circumstance surrounding the event.