What should a nurse do if they experience a significant adverse event or near-miss?

In the event of a significant adverse event or near-miss, the appropriate action for a nurse is to report it according to institutional policy. This process is essential for several reasons.

First, reporting such incidents contributes to patient safety and quality care improvement. By adhering to institutional protocols, nurses help ensure that the event is documented accurately and thoroughly, facilitating an analysis of what occurred and why. This can lead to changes in practice that can prevent future incidents.

Second, most healthcare institutions have specific guidelines that outline the steps to take following an adverse event or near-miss, often involving notifying supervisors or utilizing incident reporting systems. This promotes a culture of safety within the organization as it encourages open communication regarding errors and near-misses, allowing for learning opportunities rather than punitive actions.

Moreover, these reports often contribute to broader safety initiatives, including risk management and system improvements, reinforcing the nurse's role as a key player in protecting patient safety.

Other options would not facilitate the required follow-up actions or investigations effectively. Informing the public prematurely could violate confidentiality and trust. Ignoring the incident entirely undermines the potential for learning and improvement, while conducting an independent internal investigation deviates from established protocols and could jeopardize thoroughness and accountability. Thus, following institutional policy