What is the primary purpose of an incident or occurrence report?

The primary purpose of an incident or occurrence report is to help analyze patient care errors. Such reports are essential for identifying what went wrong during patient care and understanding the factors that contributed to the incident. By systematically documenting the details of an event, the healthcare facility can review the circumstances surrounding the incident, assess staff performance, identify areas for improvement in procedures or training, and ultimately enhance patient safety and care quality.

These reports facilitate a culture of transparency and learning within healthcare settings, allowing organizations to implement corrective measures and prevent future incidents. While other options such as recording staff activities, financial accountability, and communication with patients may play a role in healthcare operations, they are not the primary function of an incident report, which focuses on analysis and improvement in patient care.