Alberta chiropractors have launched what they say is the first provincewide patient safety incident reporting system of its kind in Canada, aimed at strengthening transparency and preventing harm through voluntary reporting and shared learning.
The Chiropractic Association of Alberta announced the rollout of the Chiropractic Patient Incident Reporting & Learning System, known as CPiRLS, which allows chiropractors to confidentially report patient safety incidents and potential risks in a non-punitive environment.
The reporting system was developed by the Royal College of Chiropractors in the United Kingdom and has been used internationally for more than a decade. The association said it is designed to identify trends and reduce the likelihood of similar incidents happening again through profession-wide learning.
“This launch represents a pivotal moment for our profession and positions Alberta as a national leader in chiropractic care,” board chair Dr. Jacqueline Boyd said in a statement. “By establishing a trusted space for open reporting and shared learning, we’re taking a bold step toward strengthening patient safety and building greater confidence in chiropractic care for Albertans.”
Patient safety advocates also welcomed the initiative. Melissa Sheldrick of Patients for Patient Safety Canada said structured learning from real-world incidents adds another layer of protection for patients and helps reinforce public confidence in care providers.
Healthcare Excellence Canada also cited the reporting system as a meaningful step forward. President and CEO Jennifer Zelmer said confidential reporting systems support safer care by helping health professionals learn from incidents and improve quality.
The association said CPiRLS is now available to its members and could serve as a model for similar efforts in chiropractic care across the country.