Mandatory error reporting systems concern hospitals
Most hospital leaders have serious reservations about mandatory error reporting systems, according to a survey of hospital executives in six states.
The study appeared in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. More than two-thirds of respondents said mandatory, nonconfidential systems discourage reporting of patient safety incidents internally, while three-quarters or more said they encourage lawsuits while having no effect or a negative effect on patient safety.
Respondents in states with confidential reporting systems said they were more likely to report certain patient safety incidents than those in states with public reporting systems.
The authors said the study suggests states that do require error reporting should use the data to analyze trends and identify best practices instead of looking at incidents on a case-by-case basis; clarify definitions of reportable events; grant hospitals protected access to anonymous abstracts of reported incidents; and reach out to state hospital associations and medical societies to promote cooperative relationships and minimize duplication of reporting. They include representatives of the Massachusetts Hospital Association and several Boston-area hospitals.
Most hospital leaders have serious reservations about mandatory error reporting systems, according to a survey of hospital executives in six states.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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