2222 has been chosen as the proposed standardised number by the ASHEN Working group and internationally for reasons presented below. In the interest of optimal patient care we will be able to consecutively use both a hospitals existing number and the standardised number for as long as is deemed appropriate by any institution.
One type of digit has benefits over several different digits as it does not matter in what order the digits are used (for example a survey responder from South Australia thought their number was #33, not 33#).
The Hospital Emergency Number 2222 has already been standardised and reinforced in Britain (1) and is being standardised throughout Europe (2) and other countries internationally. Several healthcare staff from Britain and Europe work in Australian Hospitals and vice versa.
Last year the German Health minister wrote to all German hospitals recommending it and many have started to make the change. In Ireland the Health Service Executive has requested that all public and private hospitals use 2222 by January 2019. Slovakia is also standardising at 2222. Other representations are being made at national and European Union (EU) levels to help implementation.
The number 2222 was chosen because it is already the one most commonly used and the standard number in the few European countries that presently have a standard national number, Turkey, Slovakia, England, Wales, Scotland, and Denmark; wider success can be built on this.
Following the promotion of the 2222 number at the Patient Safety Movement Summit in London, other countries around the world are joining the initiative such as South Africa, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. The UK Department of Health is planning to propose this standardisation to the WHO. (3)
Of note in Britain – the three digit ‘222’ was the second most used number prior to standardisation. The cost implications and relative risk reduction were examined looking at the option of 222 remaining as a recommended number. It was concluded that a single number would be the least confusing i.e. create the lowest risk situation (4).
Of further note the Australian Standard recommends the use of a 2 or 3 digit number (5). While a 3 digit number would be quicker to enter the likelihood of being able to convince the whole of Europe and several other countries to change to a 3 digit number is extremely low. Further there are technical telecommunications indications favouring a 4 digit over a 3 digit number with regards to implementation.
It is noted that Standards Australia is a non-government organisation and the standards are not mandated. For the purposes of accreditation with the ACSQHC, health service organisations must meet the standards set out in the NSQHS standards.
Further the Australian Standard would not have been created in the knowledge of the potential to achieve a single international standardised number ‘2222’. We are collaborating with the Australian Standards Committee to consider a change of their existing standard based on the potential to create a unified international number.
Use of 2222, in keeping with Britain, Europe, Turkey and other countries will provide impetus for future international standardisation. This will further reinforce 2222 in the memory of front line staff as the standardised Hospital Emergency Number.
We have an opportunity to standardise internationally at 2222. This opportunity does not readily exist for any other number.
International standardisation at 2222 represents an extremely exciting prospect in the interest of patient safety. It may also prove to be symbolic of future patient safety standardisation we might achieve at an international level.
References
1.http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20171030131004/http:/www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/type/alerts/?entryid45=59789&p=4
2.https://www.erc.edu/projects/2222
3.http://newsletter.esahq.org/making-cardiac-arrest-call-number-2222-europe/
5.Standards Australia. AS 4083-2010 Planning for Emergencies – Health Care Facilities. Standards Australia Sydney 2010 www.saiglobal.com 1.3