Joint Commission issues new Sentinel Event Alert on developing a reporting culture to improve safety

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission on December 10 issued a new Sentinel Event Alert on developing a reporting culture to improve healthcare safety systems.

The alert explores guidance to eliminate fear of negative consequences for those reporting mistakes and unsafe conditions in their organizations. The alert also encourages learning from “close calls” in patient care, which happen more frequently than actual harm events.

Recommended actions for healthcare organizations and leaders include:

• Reviewing the new Sentinel Event Alert #60 as well as Sentinel Event Alert #57 on the role of leadership in developing a safety culture.
• Communicating commitment to building trust and reporting through a safety culture.
• Developing a system for reporting incidents, including close calls and hazardous conditions, that encourages reporting.

The alert is accompanied with an infographic that is available on the Joint Commission website.