OMRDD Unveils New Incident Reporting Management Application (IRMA)

ALBANY, NY (05/29/2008)(readMedia)-- Diana Jones Ritter, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), today unveiled the agency’s new Incident Reporting Management Application (IRMA), a computerized program which provides a comprehensive system for all phases and levels of incident reporting. IRMA was recently rolled out in OMRDD’s regional Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSOs).

“IRMA is a standardized reporting system that will increase accuracy by providing a centralized reporting system,” said Commissioner Ritter. “This makes data readily available for trend analysis and risk management, and gives investigators accurate and up-to-date information at their fingertips.”

IRMA is a key part of the agency’s transformation agenda, which seeks to provide more individualized, person-centered care.

There are a large number of investigations conducted annually due to the wide range of reportable incidents. Examples of reportable incidents include: allegations of abuse by staff; staff arguing in front of an individual in their care, considered a serious reportable incident; a staff member raising his or her voice to an individual; and any death, be it expected or unexpected – this requirement is far more stringent than in other states, many of which only require reports of narrowly defined allegations of abuse.

OMRDD investigates approximately 1,200 incidents per quarter statewide, and approximately 200 deaths, including those occurring due to natural causes. Of the deaths investigated over the past 10 years, less than .06 percent were related to direct action by staff.

“OMRDD must have the ability to collect data about all incidents occurring within our system -- from the least serious, to the most severe,” said Commissioner Ritter. “Having this information will help us to become more aware of what works in our system, and what needs to be improved or changed.

“In addition, the ways that we use this data – including the management and trend reports – will evolve as we continue the roll-out process,” continued Commissioner Ritter.

For more information about IRMA, contact Nicole Weinstein, OMRDD Senior Public Information Specialist, (518) 474-6601.

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