Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

In the context of patient safety, what action should be taken in response to a decline in incident reports?

1. Issue a message to the staff about discipline for failure to report

2. Ensure reporting is emphasized and provide feedback on reports

3. Celebrate the decline in reports as an improvement

4. Continue monitoring without taking any action

The correct answer is: Ensure reporting is emphasized and provide feedback on reports

In the context of patient safety, ensuring that reporting is emphasized and providing feedback on reports is crucial for fostering a culture of safety. A decline in incident reports does not automatically signal improvement; it could indicate underreporting, which undermines patient safety initiatives. By emphasizing the importance of reporting and offering feedback, healthcare organizations can encourage staff to share incidents and near misses. This can lead to a more accurate understanding of safety issues and promote transparency. Feedback on reported incidents allows staff to see the impact of their reporting and emphasizes that their input is valued, ultimately enhancing engagement and responsibility regarding patient safety. This approach also contributes to continuous learning and improvement in safety practices. It drives home the idea that open communication and reporting are integral to identifying potential risks and preventing actual harm to patients. Recognizing the need to maintain or even increase report levels helps create an environment where safety is prioritized, rather than stifled by fear of discipline or failure to report incidents. Celebrating a decline in reports or taking no action could lead to complacency or a misunderstanding of the actual safety climate within the organization, while issuing disciplinary messages could create fear and inhibit staff from reporting critical incidents.