Updated January 08, 2024
A patient incident report is a form that provides a detailed account of an incident that takes place in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital. Generally, a nurse will complete this report, which might outline the events leading up to a fall or a different kind of threat to a patient’s safety. Other relevant information includes the time, date, and location at which the incident occurs. A patient incident report allows hospital administrators and managers to improve their systems, practices, and training in order to reduce the likelihood of any other incidents occurring. It can also serve as a key piece of evidence in the event of a lawsuit or legal action.