Incident reports--their purpose and scope.

Abstract

Accidents in the health care setting may be inevitable, but their frequency can be decreased with a dedicated focus on patient safety. Risk reduction naturally flows from a positive approach to risk containment and control that includes learning from past errors. Part One of this two-part series on incident reports talks about identifying and correcting errors, which results in decreased harm to patients and personnel, decreased facility risk liability and regulatory sanctions, and less negative publicity. Although it may be human nature to make mistakes, it also is human nature to create solutions, identify alternatives, and meet future challenges.