Alberta chiropractors implement a Patient Incident Reporting and Learning System 

In January of this year the Chiropractic Association of Alberta (CAA) launched the Chiropractic Patient Incident Reporting & Learning System (CPiRLS), a confidential platform that enables practitioners to report and learn from patient safety incidents. CPiRLS reflects the Association's proactive commitment to embedding patient safety at the core of chiropractic practice. By drawing on real-world experiences, CPiRLS aims to strengthen transparency, accountability, and patient safety across Alberta’s chiropractic profession. 

“The launch of CPiRLS represents a pivotal moment for our profession and positions Alberta as a national leader in chiropractic care,” says Dr. Jacqueline Boyd, Board Chair of the CAA. “By creating a trusted space for open reporting and shared learning, we’re taking a meaningful step toward improving patient safety and building confidence in chiropractic care for Albertans.” 

A confidential, non-punitive approach to learning 

CPiRLS provides a secure, anonymous, and non-punitive environment where chiropractors can share details of safety incidents. The goal is simple: learn from experience to help prevent similar situations in the future. 

The platform encourages honest reflection, open communication, and collective learning. By identifying patterns and trends, CPiRLS supports system-level improvements that enhance patient safety across the profession. 

Originally developed by the Royal College of Chiropractors in 2009, CPiRLS has been successfully used in the United Kingdom to support regulated chiropractic professionals in analyzing and learning from patient safety incidents within a “just culture” framework. 

How CPiRLS works 

Shortly after its launch, Alberta chiropractors began using CPiRLS, submitting initial reports and noting how quick and intuitive the process is. Many also highlighted how the reflective nature of reporting supported their own learning. 

CAA members can access CPiRLS through the member portal using their secure login credentials. When submitting a report, members select one of three categories: 

• Actual Incident – an event that occurred (e.g., a patient fell from a treatment table)  

• Near Miss – an incident that was avoided (e.g., a patient nearly fell)  

• Potential Risk – a hazard identified and addressed before harm occurred  

Most reports take less than five minutes to complete, depending on the level of detail provided. To get started, you can refer to a Trigger List, a practical guide to help you take part in CPiRLS. It provides clear examples of incidents you might encounter in practice ranging from the fairly common to the extremely rare. If something prompts reflection or discussion, even if the outcome is positive, it’s worth reporting. These insights often reveal opportunities for improvement before incidents happen. 

Built for trust and anonymity 

Participation in CPiRLS is voluntary; however every report contributes to a safer and more effective profession. 

The system is fully independent of membership, regulatory status, and continuing competence records. It collects only anonymous, aggregated data, meaning no report can be traced back to an individual chiropractor, clinic, or patient. Reports are not shared externally and cannot be used for complaints or investigations. 

Turning insight into action 

The CAA will regularly review aggregated data to identify trends, recurring themes, and emerging risks. These insights will be shared with members through Safety Notices, which provide practical, actionable recommendations to improve patient care. 

While individual feedback is not provided, the collective learnings from all submissions help drive profession-wide improvements. Access to the data is limited to the CAA and participating international chiropractic associations for the sole purpose of analysis and learning. 

Supporting a culture of learning and safety 

CPiRLS is designed to support learning, reflection, and professional growth, not punishment. It complements, but does not replace, existing obligations to report patient safety incidents to the College of Chiropractors of Alberta or to an indemnity insurer. 

By participating, chiropractors contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, helping elevate practice standards and enhance patient safety across Alberta. 

Patient feedback and what’s next 

CPiRLS is designed exclusively for chiropractors and is accessible only to CAA members. Patients cannot submit or view reports within the system. However, patients will soon be able to share their experiences through Care Opinion, a separate anonymous feedback platform. CAA members will be encouraged to invite patients to use this tool. 

In the coming months, members can expect patient safety culture surveys, onboarding resources, and ongoing opportunities to provide feedback. Safety Notices and insights will continue to be shared as reporting grows. 

To learn more about the CPiRLS platform, visit https://cpirls.com