Near Miss Reporting

Abstract

Imaging is no stranger to patient safety events. There was a tremendous opportunity at WakeMed in North Carolina to change the safety culture of the imag- ing services department and provide staff with a system that rewarded them for identifying safety risks. Most staff could articulate the difference between a near miss and an actual event, but very few staff knew how to report a near miss. Staff who did know how to report a near miss believed the online process was too lengthy. Staff also reported a fear of punitive action associated with reporting events. Imaging services leadership successfully developed and implemented a "Good Catch" program. One of the most important objectives of the program was to remove the negative stigma associated with near miss reporting.