Which of the following best describes the use of incident reports?

Incident reports play a crucial role in healthcare settings, particularly in documenting events that deviate from the standard of care or protocol. They are primarily used to document medication errors, which can include any mistakes in the administration of drugs, such as incorrect dosages, wrong medications, or failed adherence to prescribed instructions. This documentation is essential for identifying trends, improving practices, and ensuring that patient safety remains a top priority.

When medication errors are accurately documented through incident reports, it allows healthcare facilities to analyze the circumstances surrounding the error, facilitating the development of strategies to prevent future occurrences. Incident reports are not intended for activities such as prescribing medications, tracking vital signs, or recording scheduled doses, which fall under different procedures and documentation practices in patient care.