Lessons Learned: Use of Event Reporting by Nurses to Improve Patient Safety and Quality

The Magnet Recognition Program encourages nurse-initiated, data-driven quality projects. Using data gained from medical error event reporting has been cited as a strategy to improve safety and quality. This article describes a process by which nurses at the Children's Hospital Boston increased error reporting and used knowledge gained from event reports to provide education and implement practice changes. The medical and surgical units experienced a 35% increase in reported events and a decrease in the severity level of events over a 2-year period. Meaningful data from event reporting systems are critical in helping nurses develop interventions to prevent errors. The Magnet Model components are illustrated in the steps of this project.