Reason's Three bucket model
Reason’s three-bucket model is based on the understanding that frontline staff can help to stop errors and unsafe practice occurring if they adopt a risk-aware and 'error-wise' mindset. This will enable them to recognise situations with a high risk of error occurring and improve their ability to correct errors early.
The 'buckets' in the model represent 'self', 'context' and 'task'. The model’s contention is that the possibility of error or unsafe action in any given situation depends to a large extent on how much 'bad stuff' is in those three buckets at any particular time. For instance, 'bad stuff' in the 'self' bucket that might contribute to an error or unsafe practice could include a nurse:
being unprepared or untrained to perform a particular task
being intimidated about challenging senior staff decisions
having unrealistic perceptions of his or her own competence
being under stress at work or home
being physically or mentally tired.
While this list of 'bad stuff' appears in the 'self' bucket, it also flags up failures at organisational level, and many such failures can be reflected in the 'context' bucket. 'Bad stuff' in the context bucket might include:
poor maintenance and servicing of equipment
ease or difficulty of use of some pieces of equipment and lack of adequate training in their use
bad lighting or an otherwise inappropriate environment for work
inadequate structures and support for exchange of information
weak leadership with unclear or inadequate lines of authority
staff having no access to senior staff for support or supervision
undue or excessive organisational pressures to complete tasks
weak or absent safety cultures at organisational level
aloof or aggressive management styles
staff being very busy or not enough trained staff being on duty.
Finally, 'bad stuff' related to the specific process being undertaken can be found in the 'task' bucket. The 'task' bucket is all about the actual task at hand and how dangerous that particular task is: for instance, administering chemotherapy may be considered more dangerous than administering a single paracetamol tablet. In other words, certain procedures may be more dangerous than others: it is the task in hand that defines how full the 'task' bucket is.'Bad stuff' in the bucket includes:
tasks being left incomplete
errors occurring due to lack of concentration brought on by overfamiliarity with the task
inability to correctly make calculations associated with the task
lack of time and support to prepare for new or unfamiliar tasks
distractions, or too many tasks being undertaken simultaneously
the environment in which the task is being carried out, such as in the patient's own home.
The three buckets are constantly emptying and filling at any point in time in response to whatever is happening at that time: an empty bucket in the morning does not necessarily mean an empty bucket in the afternoon. The key is having an awareness of the state of the buckets and developing strategies to empty them when they look full.
The three-bucket model equips nurses and other frontline staff with the consciousness to identify when 'bad stuff' such as these examples is present. While it does not claim to be foolproof – full 'buckets' do not mean an error or unsafe act will inevitably occur, and empty ones do not guarantee safety – the model does provide staff with awareness and knowledge that can help them assess the risk in any given situation and act accordingly.
Explore the 'Three buckets' interactive model and as with the previous model, try to reflect on a situation in your workplace where you can see the model applies and attempt to devise an 'action plan' for a possible solution. You may wish to print the action plan and share it with your colleagues or manager. You may also wish to save it in your portfolio as evidence of your learning.