NSW Health's Safety Alert Broadcast System (SABS) has been adapted from the UK's National Health Service Safety Alert Broadcast System. Its aim is to provide a systematic approach to the distribution and management of patient safety information to NSW health services. Each alert specifies action to be taken by health services, the timeframe in which such action must occur, and specific responsibility for the actions.

The Safety Alert Broadcast System Policy Directive PD2013_009 describes how SABS works. Basically, there are three types of notification:

	Safety Alert (Red), requiring immediate attention and action.
	Safety Notice (Amber), requiring risk assessment at the local level.
	Safety Information (Green), ensuring that lessons learned from state-wide, national and international sources are shared actively across the NSW health system.

The SABS register

Number	Type	Issues covered	Date of issue
SN:009/20		Acetylfentanyl and fentanyl in non-opioid illicit drugs	16 October 2020
SI:005/20		Safe use of disposable (single patient use) slings	24 September 2020
SN:008/20		Illicit supply of counterfeit alpr​​azolam (Updated)	9 September 2020
SN:004/20		Lantus discontinuation and introduction of new insulin glargine products	11 June 2020
SI:003/20		The risk of toxicity from topical anaesthetic products	22 May 2020
SN:002/20		Management of medication for patients with Parkinson disease	11 March 2020
SN:001/20		Safe provision of sedating medicines on discharge from NSW Health facilities	18 February 2020
SA:001/20		LIFEPAK® 15 Monitor/Defibrillator defect correction - 2020	14 January 2020
SI:001/20		Use of linen in radiological procedures potential artefact	13 January 2020
SN:014/19		Ranitidine – Product Recall	4 October 2019
SN:013/19		Incompatibility between oxygen cylinders with inbuilt regulators with Air/Oxygen Blenders	26 September 2019
SN:012/19		Link adrenaline (epinephrine) 1 in 10,000 prefilled syringe - device failure	23 August 2019
SN:011/19		Benzylpenicillin injection – disruption to supply	14 August 2019
SN:010/19		Heparin sodium injection 5000 units/0.2mL - disruption to supply	5 August 2019
SN:007/19		High Concentration Insulin Products (Updated) (Supersedes SN:009/17)	24 June 2019
SN:004/19		JJM Intraluminal Proximate Circular Stapler (ILS)	4 April 2019
SA:001/19		enFlow Fluid Warmers - Risk of Aluminium toxicity	13 March 2019
SN:021/18		Discontinuation of nifedipine (twice daily products) and patient safety risks with alternative	20 December 2018
SN:020/18		Salem Sump Nasogastric Tube Shortage	14 December 2018
SN:019/18		Oxygen Cylinders with Integrated Valve Regulator	29 November 2018
SN:018/18		Newborn Self-Inflating Bag (SIB) resuscitators	27 November 2018
SN:017/18		Printing the correct ECG for patients Correction to Para 2: QLD Health	27 November 2018
SN:015/18		Parietex composite parastomal mesh hazard alert and recall	9 November 2018
SI:003/18		Candida auris infection considerations for the transfer or repatriation of an overseas patient to a NSW hospital	7 September 2018
SN:012/18		Rupture of membranes testing in maternity settings	20 August 2018
SN:009/18		Intragastric Balloon Systems	6 August 2018
SN:008/18		Return of Patients’ Own Medications	25 July 2018
SI:001/18		ABO Compatibility for Blood Products in an Emergency	19 June 2018
SN:005/18		Peri-operative risk of SGLT2 inhibitor–associated ketoacidosis	15 March 2018
SN:003/18		Complications Associated with Inferior Vena Cava Filters	19 February 2018
SA:001/08		Vaccine storage and cold chain management	9 February 2018
SN:015/17		Transvaginal mesh implants for Pelvic Organ (Vaginal) Prolapse (Supersedes SN:010/17)	20 December 2017
SN:011/17		Disposable Ventilator Catheter Mounts Failure	29 September 2017
SI:002/17		Gadolinium-based contrast agents for MRI scans	15 August 2017
SA:004/17		HYDROmorphone (high-risk medicine): Changes to Dilaudid® injectable preparations	28 July 2017
SA:003/17		Infection from contaminated ultrasound gel	12 May 2017
SN:005/17		Povidone-Iodine (PVI) Use in NSW Hospitals	19 April 2017
SN:004/17		Infection post cardiopulmonary bypass associated with heater-cooler devices (Supersedes SN:007/16)	3 March 2017
SN:003/17		Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) tablets - disruption to supply (Supersedes SN:002/16)	8 February 2017
SN:002/17		Identification of Post-Injection Syndrome Olanzapine Pamoate Long Acting Injection	8 February 2017
SI:001/17		Choking Risk in Mental Health Consumers	6 February 2017
SN:001/17		Vaccine cold chain management in NSW Facilities	2 February 2017
SA:002/17		Insufflator Gas Connectors	12 January 2017
SA:001/17		HYDROmorphone: High-risk medicine (Supersedes SA:004/11 and SN:011/10)	10 January 2017
SN:013/16		Implantable cardiac defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator devices	18 November 2016
SN:011/16		Povidone Iodine for pre-operative antisepsis – Disruption to supply	8 November 2016 (revised 21 November 2016)
SN:010/16		Medical gas cylinders (Supersedes Safety Notice 004/10 issued on 22 April 2010)	10 October 2016
SN:009/16		Avoiding thrombophlebitis with intravenous amiodarone (Supersedes Safety Notice 003/09 issued on 11 February 2009)	29 September 2016 (revised 10 February 2017)
SN:008/16		Comfort impregnated cloth topical skin products: potential for bacterial contamination	20 September 2016
SI:002/16		Switching between Extended Release (XR) vs Immediate Release (IR) Formulations	25 August 2016
SN:004/16		Assessment and management of risk of absconding from declared mental health inpatient units	22 June 2016
SN:003/16		Use of Prone Restraint and Parenteral Medication in Healthcare Settings	14 July 2016
SN:001/16		Changes to Medicine Ingredient Names - April 2016 to April 2020	9 May 2016
SA:001/16		Product Recall Catheters with Beacon Tip Technology	6 May 2016
SI:001/16		Increase in Cases of Invasive Meningococcal Disease	19 February 2016
SI:001/15		E – Cigarettes, Oxygen Therapy, Burns and Fire Risk	20 January 2015
SN:004/14		Removal of Central Venous Access Devices (CVAD)	12 August 2014
SA:002/14		Potential bacterial contamination of propofol Update: Quarantine of Provive and Sandoz propofol all sizes and batches lifted	2 May 2014 15 July 2014
SI:001/14		Correct Usage of Fume/Vapour Soaking Stations	24 January 2014
SN:001/14		Use of Impregnated Chemical Disinfectant Wipe Systems for Reusable Medical Devices	24 January 2014
SI:003/13		25l-NBOMe Potent hallucinogenic substance in NSW	4 December 2013 (revised 19 December 2013)
SN:003/13		Voluven and Volulyte (hydroxyethyl starch)	5 September 2013
SI:002/12		Measles Outbreak	31 August 2012
SI:001/12		Antenatal magnesium sulphate infusion prior to preterm birth for neuroprotection of the foetus infant and child	4 May 2012
SA:002/12		Product Recall - CSL Human Albumin - Batches Released from Quarantine (Albumex 4, Albumex 20)	15 Mar 2012
SA:001/12		Product Recall CSL Human Albumin	08 March 2012
SA:008/11		Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PJP) in transplant patients	19 December 2011
SN:015/11		Bathing of Newborn Babies and Infection Prevention	22 November 2011
SN:013/11		Management of medication for patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD)	7 November 2011
SI:001/11		Safe Use of Alcohol Based Skin Preparations for Surgical and Anaesthetic Procedures (Supersedes Safety Information SI: 001/07 issued on 27 June 2007)	7 October 2011
SN:017/10		Group A Streptococcal Maternal Sepsis	24 December 2010
SN:014/10		Autonomic Dysreflexia (Supersedes Safety Notice 014/10 issued on 26 October 2010)	1 November 2010
SN:010/10		Correct identification of medication and solutions for epidural anaesthesia and analgesia	25 August 2010
SN:006/10		Pathology Testing - Caesarean Section Operations	16 June 2010
SN:004/10		Important Changes to Medical Gas Cylinders (Superseded by Safety Notice 010/16 issued on 10 October 2016)	22 April 2010
SA:002/10		RECALL of Breathing Systems with Intersurgical #1986 Connector	13 January 2010
SA:001/10		RECALL of Unomedical - Endotracheal Tubes	8 January 2010
SN:022/09		Safe use of Midazolam	18 December 2009
SA:006/09		Emergency/ Arrest Buttons	4 November 2009
SN:019/09		Managing Pigtail Drains Safely	8 October 2009
SN:018/09		Reducing Incidents Involving Tracheostomy Tube Care To be read in conjunction with SN: 018/09 PD2006-098 - Tracheostomy - Unavoidable early (<72 hours) Tracheostomy Tube change	16 September 2009
SN:016/09		Safe Instrumental Birth	28 July 2009
SN:014/09		Retained or Broken Orthopaedic Surgical Equipment in Patients	9 July 2009
SA:003/09		Draeger Medical Babylog 8000 Plus Neonatal Ventilator	26 June 2009
SA:002/09		Guidewire Alert	16 June 2009
SI:003/09		Varenicline (CHAMPIX)-Serious Psychiatric Side Effects	29 May 2009
SN:011/09		Allopurinol and Azathioprine	7 May 2009
SN:009/09		Acute Coronary Syndrome	28 April 2009
SN:008/09		Insertion of intraocular lens Recommended intraocular lens insertion process (To be read in conjunction with SN: 008/09)	31 March 2009
SN:007/09		Nasogastric Feeding Tubes for Infants and Children (Revised)	27 March 2009
SN:006/09		Wrong Route Errors with Oral Medication	25 March 2009
SA:001/09		PEEP Valve, Expiration Diverter Assembly	13 February 2009
SN:003/09		Intravenous Amiodarone (superseded by Safety Notice: 009/16)	11 February 2009
SI:001/09		Drager Oxylog 2000 Transport Ventilator	8 January 2009
SN:012/08		Autonomic Dysreflexia	16 December 2008
SI:003/08		Whooping Cough	3 December 2008
SA:002/08		Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Line - Arrow 3 FG Brand (Suspension lifted 24 Dec 08)	13 October 2008
SA:002/08		Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Lines (Supersedes Safety Alert SA:001/08)	13 October 2008
SA:001/08		Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Lines	10 October 2008
SN:004/08		Oxycodone (Revised) Poster: Solid Oral Morphine and Oxycodone Products for Pain Relief	16 May 2008
SN:002/08		Pulmonary Embolism: Diagnosis in Young People	29 January 2008
SA:004/07		Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring (Supersedes Safety Notice SN:008/07)	4 October 2007
SN:013/07		Extravasation of IV fluids: Care of the cannula site in neonates and children	21 September 2007
SA:003/07		Medtronic SynchroMed® EL Implantable Pump - Neurological drug delivery pumps	12 September 2007
SI:001/07		Alcohol-Based Hand Cleansers and Fire (Has been superseded by Safety Information SI: 001/11)	27 June 2007
SN:008/07		Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring (Has been superseded by Safety Notice SA:004/07)	8 May 2007
SA:002/07		Communicaton Systems	9 May 2007
SA:001/07		Fine Bore Nasogastric Feeding Tubes	3 May 2007
SN:004/07		Shower Curtain and Curtain Tracks in Mental Health Facilities	28 March 2007
SN:003/07		Creutzfeldt - Jacob Disease (CJD) Transmission During High Risk Surgical Procedures (“dorsal route ganglia” amended to read "dorsal root ganglia" - updated 20 March 07)	19 March 2007 (revised 20 March 2007)
SN:005/06		Safe Use of Fentanyl Skin Patches (Web address for Analgesic Skin Patches publication updated on 22 February 2007)	23 Octobter 2006 (revised 22 February 2007)
SN:003/06		Peiron Stent fracture in renal arteries	October 2006
SN:002/06		Cleaning of flexible endoscopes (reprocessing) (Web address for Infection Control Policy updated on 26 February 2007)	September 2006 (revised 26 February 2007)
SI:001/06		Alaris SE pumps recall, Filshie Clip System, peanut allergies, Bisphosphonates medications (Web address for NSW Health peanut allergy publication updated on 23 March 2007)	8 September 2006 (revised 23 March 2007)
SA:002/06		Superseded by 04/06
SA:003/06		Ultravist-370	4 August 2006
SN:001/06		Guidant Implantable Pacemakers	9 February 2006