Clinical incident reporting: wrong time, wrong place

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to generate a debate regarding the value of incident reporting in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper critiques the dominant approach to patients in the UK.

Findings

It is suggested that the reliability of health care processes would need to substantially improve before an incident reporting system can have a meaningful impact on patient safety.

Practical implications

Greater benefits in patient safety will be accrued by focusing resources on designing reliable processes rather than the extension of incident reporting.

Originality/value

This paper offers a local perspective on a potentially flawed national strategy.

Citation

Renshaw, M., Vaughan, C., Ottewill, M., Ireland, A. and Carmody, J. (2008), "Clinical incident reporting: wrong time, wrong place", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 380-384. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526860810880180