Incident reporting is a powerful source of information. When used effectively, it provides a factual description of an adverse event or near miss that supports learning, safety and improved care quality. Most health care entities utilize an electronic incident reporting system to identify opportunities for improvement.
By Gloria Brigham , WSNA Education DirectorJune 4, 2019 • 1 minute, 9 seconds to read
Incident reporting is a powerful source of information. When used effectively, it provides a factual description of an adverse event or near miss that supports learning, safety and improved care quality. Most health care entities utilize an electronic incident reporting system to identify opportunities for improvement.
Health care facility regulation requires tracking of medical errors and adverse events, though it is estimated that only 10-20 percent of occurrences are reported. Incident reporting systems are used to gather event information using a structured format. This facilitates analysis of data using metrics such as event type, frequency, severity, location, day, date and time of occurrence in the workplace.
According to the Joint Commission, nurses submit the highest number of incident reports. This is a testament to your dedication to safe and quality care in the professional practice environment. Keep up the good work and strive to increase incident reporting!