Accident reports exist to document what, when, and who so we can communicate the accident to whomever needs to see it. A lot of the information can be confidential so keep everything as private as possible and never share the information with the wrong person. Another benefit in reporting is quality improvement can take place where corrective action can be implemented as soon as its safe. This includes updating care plan information and other documents to ensure everyone is on the same page with information updates to prevent accidents from reoccurring.
Examples of incident reports vary in type of incident that can occur. According to patientsafety.com there are many types of incidents. One is a patient related incident that is an incident that involves the patient directly. Staff related incidents are another type of incident. Staff related incidents occur when errors, poor training, digression from protocols, and miscommunication occur. These incidents don't just happen to clients but to caregivers or staff as well. Things like needle sticks, cuts, and splashing incidents are a few to mention. The recommendations for reporting staff-related incidents are promoting a culture of reporting where there is no feeling of guilt around placing honest reports.
(“5 Key Incident Reporting Example Scenarios in Healthcare", 2024)
Medication Errors are a concern and are a common error. Incorrect dosing, misreading the label, or confusing medications can occur. This can require immediate assistance from a doctor that can determine if further medical aid is required. Patient falls are unexpected events that can occur and affect many aspects of the client's health. Falls can cause fractures, lacerations, internal bleeding, and death. This is something to report to your supervisor. Other types of incidents are complaints and aggression incidents.
(Hooiveld, 2022)
Here are a few tips when starting the process of incident reporting paperwork.
1. Be Prompt
The first and arguably most important thing to remember is to report the incident immediately. This means that corrective action can take place as soon as possible.
2. Be Clear and Accurate
Write your report with the most clarity to provide the most accurate, factual, without any opinions, assumptions, or speculations. Write down exactly what happened to the best of your knowledge.
3. Be Thorough
To be thorough you must ensure your report is complete and correct to every detail. Provide in your report enough information.
4. Be Sensitive to Privacy
Ensure all information is confidential and there is no leak of information to someone who doesn't need to see it. Never hand out personal information to people outside the circle of care.
5. Be Objective
This means that you focus on the facts and not on what you think may have happened or why. This should make your report as clear and concise as possible, almost like a technical report or paper.
(“The 5 Rules of Effective Incident Reporting", 2023)
Examples of incidents a PCA caregiver should report include: patient falls, missed medication administration, unexpected changes in vital signs, injuries sustained during care, verbal or physical aggression from the patient, equipment malfunction, spills or hazards in the environment, communication breakdowns with family members, suspected abuse or neglect, and any unexplained changes in the patient's condition.
If that wasn't enough information here are a few examples of accidents requiring incident reports.
- Falls: A patient falls while attempting to transfer from their bed to a wheelchair due to not using the proper transfer technique.
- Medication errors: Administering the incorrect medication dosage or giving a medication at the wrong time.
- Skin breakdown: Discovering a new pressure sore on the patient's body due to not repositioning them frequently enough.
- Urinary incontinence: A patient experiencing significant incontinence due to not being assisted to the bathroom in a timely manner.
- Choking incident: A patient starts choking while eating due to improper food consistency or lack of supervision during meals.
- Equipment malfunction: A wheelchair suddenly stops working mid-transfer, causing the patient to lose balance.
- Verbal abuse: A patient verbally assaults the caregiver with aggressive language or threats.
- Missing belongings: A patient's personal belongings are missing from their room.
- Unsafe environment: A loose electrical cord in the bathroom that could pose a tripping hazard.
- Change in mental status: Observing sudden confusion or disorientation in a patient who was previously alert.
(Hooiveld, 2024)
Works Cited:
“The 5 Rules of Effective Incident Reporting.” Worksafesites.delaware.gov, SafeDE, 30 June 2023, worksafesites.delaware.gov/safede-news/the-5-rules-of-effective-incident-reporting. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
“5 Key Incident Reporting Example Scenarios in Healthcare.” Www.performancehealthus.com, Performance Health Partners, 4 Nov. 2024, www.performancehealthus.com/blog/5-incident-reporting-example-in-healthcare. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
Hooiveld, Jens. “The Importance of Incident Reporting in Nursing.” Www.patientsafety.com, The Patient Safety Company, 27 Mar. 2024, www.patientsafety.com/en/blog/incident-reporting-in-nursing. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
Hooiveld, Jens. “5 Healthcare Incident Reporting Applications.” Www.patientsafety.com, The Patient Safety Company , 4 Apr. 2022, www.patientsafety.com/en/blog/healthcare-incident-reporting-applications. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.