Since the systems approach avoids placing the blame on anyone, it is more likely that real change will occur through the analysis and improvement mechanism, creating a greater incentive to report errors. Once you've been able to convince people that you're not out for blood when errors happen, you can gain a lot of useful information simply by talking with members of the care team at lunch or on other informal occasions and asking them about recent problems. This even partially addresses the issue of the time it takes to fill out error reports, although it should be considered supplemental and should not replace incident reporting. A reward system is another way to create incentives for reporting errors. Simply giving positive feedback about improvement activities through newsletters or memos can be an effective reward, because it tells caregivers their reports and suggestions have had an effect and are benefiting patients.
Some facilities give out a pair of movie tickets or a free lunch to every fifth reporter.
Whenever a medication error is reported to the USP Medication Error Reporting Program or to the Medwatch program, we at ISMP receive a copy, analyze it, and consider the information for its educational value. Often, we publish the account, along with our suggestions, so pharmacists and others can make practice-related changes. Over the years, ISMP has acted as a conduit to make sure that serious problems are addressed. Thousands of changes have resulted from submitted reports and the accompanying suggestions for improvement that have been made by reporters. Many errors are no longer possible because of changes stimulated by people who reported medication errors.