Developing a Reporting Culture: Learning from Close Calls and Hazardous Conditions

Learning from close calls and hazardous conditions before they can cause harm are critical aspects of creating a safety culture and nurturing high reliability within a health care organization. Valek & Co. contributed editorial services to the development of The Joint Commission’s Sentinel Event Alert, “Developing a reporting culture: Learning from close calls and hazardous conditions.” 

Accompanying the alert is an infographic, the “Four Es of a Reporting Culture” – establish trust, encouraging reporting, eliminate fear of punishment, and examine errors, close calls and hazardous conditions.

The alert includes suggested actions and resources for healthcare organizations, as well as five sidebars featuring what various organizations have done to develop a reporting culture, gain leadership engagement and accountability, and communicate a commitment to just, reporting and learning cultures.

An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards. Sentinel Event Alerts provide safety improvement suggestions for healthcare organizations. Learn more at jointcommmission.org.