Improved reporting system increases disruptive behavior reports

Editor's Note

After implementing an improved reporting system for disruptive behavior that included the ability to report positive behaviors, the number and length of reports increased in this study.

Researchers compared reports in the Patient Safety Net (PSN) event reporting system (2010-2015) to the RL Solutions RL6 system (2015-2018), which included positive reporting. There were 0.8 events per quarter submitted under the PSN system and 7.4 under the RL6 system.

The average length of reports increased from 61 to 185 words, and reports were most often submitted by nurses (66%) about attending physicians (36%). A total of 22% of reports were positive under the RL6 system, and 46% of the reports were about physicians.

The researchers note that a robust reporting system has contributed to a culture of safety at their institution.