Process and structural indicators
Process and structural indicators were previously called checklist indicators. They allow social welfare and healthcare organisations to assess how the structures and processes that support safety are implemented in their operations. The assessment is evaluated on three levels: "fully", "partially" or "not at all".
The updated indicators are available as an Excel file (published 2 April 2025).
Introductory presentation for introducing the tool to its users: Process and structural indicator introductory presentation.
The indicator status is intended to be reviewed each year. For example, organisations can compile summaries of the results to include as part of their annual reporting on client and patient safety.
Latest update
In the update needs review in spring 2024, it was concluded that there are currently too many indicators, which makes them more difficult to use in organisations. There were also requests for removing indicators reflecting statutory tasks, because their implementation is already based on legal obligations.
As part of the update work, the previous categorisation between specialised healthcare, general healthcare and social welfare was removed, as this categorisation was no longer considered necessary after the wellbeing services counties were implemented.
The term “checklist indicator” was also decided to be removed at the same time. It was replaced with the term process and structural indicators, which better reflects the content and purpose of the indicators.
Publication data
The checklist indicators were originally published in 2021 as part of the project report Potilas- ja asiakasturvallisuuden tilannekuva ja seurantamenettelyt – Ehdotus seurannan mittaristoksi.
The first update was made in 2023.
The latest update was made on 2 April 2025. With the latest update, the name was changed from Checklist Indicators to Process and Structural Indicators. In the future, the indicator update needs will be reviewed every two years