Activities Resulting from the Investigation and Reporting Process
The investigator often will be requested to perform various types of follow-up activities subsequent to generating the investigation report. These may range from simply answering questions to participating in litigation. In the majority of cases, the investigator will not become involved in litigation. (This is a separate issue that will be addressed later in this chapter.) The investigator may be called upon to make a presentation to an administrative group or medical committee concerning the findings. This usually will involve providing a summary of the event, explaining the theory of how the event happened, and reviewing ways in which a recurrence can be prevented. Frequently there will be pointed questions from the audience. These should be anticipated, and responses should prepared, to the extent possible. The presenter should be aware of who will be at the meeting and their possible issues in order to provide meaningful information and suggestions. Implementation of recommendations frequently will require the assistance of the investigator and may include training of staff by way of in-service presentations, which may be requested. Recommendations on the modification or development of policies and procedures in conjunction with department management may be an important follow-up action. The investigator may be requested to attend meetings with manufacturer representatives and to participate in manufacturer inspections. In such situations, the role of the investigator should be primarily that of observer, making individual notes and gathering any additional information that may result from the manufacturer’s activities. Interaction with governmental and enforcement agencies is a frequent product of medical device investigations. This may involve compliance with regulations under the Safe Medical Devices Act, if the event occurred in the United States, or similar legislation in other countries. (See Chapters 125 and 126.) Assistance in making reports to governmental agencies may be requested either in the form of helping to fill out documentation or participating in inquiries initiated by a licensing or enforcement body. On rare occasions, an investigator may be requested to participate in formal government activities such as advising on modification or implementation of laws or participating in agency meetings or public hearings.