Background :Despite awareness that comparative analysis of patient safety data from several data sources would promote risk reduction, there has been little eff ort to establish an incident classifi cation system that is generally applicable to patient safety data in European primary care. Objective : To describe the development of a patient safety incident classifi cation system for primary care. Methods : A systematic review was followed by an expert group discussion and a modifi ed Delphi survey, to provide consensus statements. Results : We developed a classifi cation system providing a mechanism for classifying patient safety incidents across Europe, taking into account the varying organizational arrangements that exist for primary care. It takes into account organizational processes and outcomes related to patient safety incidents and can supplement existing classifi cation systems. Conclusion:Classifi cation systems are key tools in the analysis of patient safety incidents. A system that has relevance for primary care is now available.

Background: Incident reporting is widely used in both patient safety improvement programmes, and in research on patient safety. Objective: To identify the key requirements for incident reporting systems in primary care; to develop an Internet-based incident reporting and learning system for primary care. Methods: A literature review looking at the purpose, design and requirements of an incident reporting system (IRS) was used to update an existing incident reporting system, widely used in Germany. Then, an international expert panel with knowledge on IRS developed the criteria for the design of a new web-based incident reporting system for European primary care. A small demonstration project was used to create a web-based reporting system, to be made freely available for practitioners and researchers. The expert group compiled recommendations regarding the desirable features of an incident reporting system for European primary care. These features covered the purpose of reporting, who should be involved in reporting, the mode of reporting, design considerations, feedback mechanisms and preconditions necessary for the implementation of an IRS. Results: A freely available web-based reporting form was developed, based on these criteria. It can be modified for local contexts. Practitioners and researchers can use this system as a means of recording patient safety incidents in their locality and use it as a basis for learning from errors. Conclusion: The LINNEAUS collaboration has provided a freely available incident reporting system that can be modified for a local context and used throughout Europe.

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