Table 1 Scoring criteria

Frequency: This patient safety threat is common

Severity: This patient safety threat leads to high rates of mortality, morbidity and incapacity

Inequity: This patient safety threat affects lower socio-economic groups or ethnic minorities more than other groups

Economic impact: The consequences of this patient safety threat are costly to the healthcare system

Responsiveness to solution: This incident is amenable to a solution within 5 years

Feasibility: The implementation of this solution is feasible

Cost-effectiveness: This solution is cost-effective

Potential for saving lives: This solution would save lives