How to use CPiRLS

CPiRLS (Chiropractic Patient Incident Reporting and Learning System) is a secure, anonymous platform where chiropractors can share and learn from patient safety incidents.

The essential details of submitted reports are published here for all chiropractors to view. Our CPiRLS team reviews each case, offers commentary, and highlights trends across reports helping the profession continually improve in the interests of patient safety.

Important: Reporting to CPiRLS does not replace your obligation to report incidents to your professional association and/or indemnity insurers.

what is an incident?

What should i report?

Is CPiRLS Secure?

CPiRLS Trigger List

How to Access CPiRLS

What is an “Incident”?

An incident is any patient safety event, error, accident, or deviation from the norm that: 

Actually Happened

e.g. Patient fell from a treatment table

Nearly Happened (‘near miss’)

e.g. Patient nearly fell from a treatment table, but this was avoided

Has the potential to Happen

e.g. Potential for patient to fall from the table noticed and action taken to reduce/remove risk

If it made you stop and think or discuss it with others it’s worth reporting, whether the outcome was positive or negative. 

What Should I Report?

Report any incident that:

  • Resulted in patient harm
  • Had the potential to cause harm
  • Was avoided but could have caused harm if circumstances were different 

By using the Trigger List below, you’ll find it easier to identify what should be reported ensuring valuable learning opportunities for the profession.

Is CPiRLS Secure?

Yes, because:

  • The site uses encrypted connections so your data is safe. 
  • Access is password-protected and only available to chiropractors. 
  • No identifying information (such as your IP address) is stored. 

This means you can share incidents openly and anonymously, knowing your information is protected.

✅ If in doubt, report it. Every report helps the profession learn and improve patient safety. 

How to Access CPiRLS

To submit or view incident reports, you’ll need a valid username and password. You can obtain these securely in one of the following ways:

Special arrangements are available for chiropractors not in these organisations please contact the CPiRLS team for access.

The CPiRLS Trigger List

The Trigger List is 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.

While the list is not exhaustive, it covers key categories and sub-categories of incidents that match those used in the CPiRLS electronic reporting form. These categories can be applied to:

  • Incidents that actually happened
  • Near misses
  • Potential incidents spotted before they occurred
  • Patient trip/ fall  
  • Health and Safety measures inadequate  
  • Equipment malfunction  
  • Failure to use equipment appropriately  
  • Failure to dispose of sharps and clinical waste appropriately  
  • Medical emergency inadequately handled  
  • Exposure to harmful substances including blood
  • Other
  • Patient record inadequate e.g. failure to document aspects of care  
  • Patient record misplaced  
  • Records confused, treated wrong patient  
  • Breach of confidentiality
  • Other
  • Missing an underlying pathology  
  • Investigation undertaken to detriment of patient  
  • Patient faint unrelated to treatment
  • Other
  • Adverse Event (mild, moderate, major)
  • Wrong positioning of patient during treatment
  • Did not modify treatment plan to take account of patient preferences or health needs
  • Slow to refer after patient did not respond to treatment
  • Other