It was observed by a nurse that the medication prescription given by the doctor was wrongly noted by the nurse of the previous shift. Who among the following will fill out the report of this incident?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2017 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The nurse who identifies or discovers an error is professionally and ethically responsible for reporting it.
This policy ensures that a firsthand, accurate, and timely account of the incident is documented.
The primary goal of an incident report is to serve as a quality improvement tool to identify and correct system flaws, thereby enhancing patient safety.
The report should be a factual, objective description of the event, the patient's condition, and the actions taken after the discovery.

Option B: While the nurse who made the error is involved in the process, they are not the one to file the report. This policy avoids underreporting due to fear of reprisal and ensures an objective account from the discoverer.
Option C: The supervising nurse's role is to review the incident report, ensure immediate patient safety, notify necessary parties (like risk management), and lead the follow-up investigation and implementation of corrective actions.
Option D: The nurse's assignment on a previous day is irrelevant. The responsibility for reporting lies with the individual who has the most current and direct knowledge of the incident, which is the person who discovered it.

Visual 1: Flowchart: Steps in Medication Error Reporting. This would visually outline the process from error discovery, patient assessment, provider notification, report completion, and supervisory review to final system analysis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Professional responsibilities and legal aspects of nursing, specifically incident reporting helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Accurate and timely incident reporting is a fundamental component of patient safety, risk management, and quality assurance in all healthcare settings.
It promotes a 'culture of safety' where staff feel empowered to report errors and near misses without fear of punitive action, leading to better patient outcomes.
What if? If the patient had already received the wrong medication, the discovering nurse's first priority would be to assess the patient for any adverse effects, stabilize them, and immediately notify the healthcare provider, before completing the incident report.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core issue: The question asks about the professional responsibility for documenting a medication error.
Recall the principles of incident reporting in nursing. The primary goal is patient safety and system improvement, not punishment.
Consider the roles of each person mentioned. The person who discovers the event has the most direct and immediate knowledge.
Evaluate the options based on this principle. The nurse who spotted the error is in the best position to provide a factual, firsthand account.
Eliminate other options: The nurse who made the error might be biased or hesitant to report. The supervisor's role is oversight and follow-up, not initial documentation. A previous nurse is not relevant.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Professional responsibilities and legal aspects of nursing, specifically incident reporting.
Stem keywords: medication prescription, wrongly noted, incident report
Lead-in keywords: Who
Negative lead-in flag: false

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