incident reporting

Question

At a medication cart, the nursing assistant notices a nurse catch a wrong medication selection before it reaches a resident. The assistant tells the nurse what was seen. What should happen regarding the narrowly avoided error?

1. AUse the facility process for reporting the near miss✓ Correct

   A narrowly avoided error belongs in the facility reporting process.

2. BOmit a report because no medication reached the resident✗ Incorrect

   An event can be reportable even when an error is intercepted.

3. CRecord it only if the resident later feels ill✗ Incorrect

   Reporting a near miss does not depend on later illness.

4. DKeep it private to avoid identifying a system problem✗ Incorrect

   Sharing the event through the proper process helps uncover safety problems.

Answer

A. Use the facility process for reporting the near miss

Rationale

An intercepted error is still useful safety information. Facility reporting can help identify a process that needs improvement.