Overcoming the Challenges to Effective Error Reporting

Error reporting is a complex task that needs to be carried out in an effective manner if the desired outcomes of patient protection are to be maximized. This requires a clear understanding of related definitions and concepts, an appreciation of the impact “under reporting” has on patient safety, and the recognition of the barriers and incentives to error reporting. This article addresses these issues in addition to factors that make error reporting systems effective. An in-depth literature review was conducted and included various related studies.

The findings of this review demonstrate that overcoming the challenges to effective error reporting primarily involves creating a culture of safety in which transparency and fairness prevail, and in which all parties learn from and feel comfortable sharing information about mistakes, and work together to prevent their recurrence.