Do near-miss reporting programs improve workplace safety? Early results from a study seem to say they do.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Radiation Oncology department instituted a Conditions Reporting System to examine low-level incidents.
All types of staff within the department participated in reporting incidents.
After just one year, results show a strong correlation between institution of the reporting system and increasingly positive responses to staff surveys focused on safety culture.
“By utilizing the program, we learn from all reported events, and are able to develop improved safety measures,” said Amit Maity, one of the study’s authors.
“What we’ve learned from reporting events has already led to a number of changes to departmental policies, procedures and workflow,” said Stephen Hahyn, chair of the Radiation Oncology department. “By reporting and investigating incidents, our faculty and staff are more confident … and we’re better able to identify any holes in our processes.”
The study team plans to continue instituting policies and procedures to ensure low-level errors are addressed and don’t become serious situations.
The ongoing study also seeks to determine whether its program decreases the number of incidents over time.