Table 1.

Key characteristics for error reporting system design

Purpose	System improvement
	Organizational accountability
	Clinician education
	Patient education
	Administrative education
	Public assurance
	Process solution development
	External (e.g. drug companies) entity education
Content	Form
	Elements such as situational characteristics, contributing factors, tips for prevention, tools involved, mitigating factors
	Limited identification of both clinician and patient
	Format
	Blend of checkboxes and free-flow narrative sections
Design	Non-punitive
	Secured access
	Optional identification
	Flexibility (reporting medium, anonymity, etc.)
	Easy to use
	Pilot testing before implementation
	Tactics employed to ensure clinician buy-in
	Continuous feedback
	Partial protection from consequential events for reporting
	Solutions availability (e.g. for common errors)
	Professional analysis of the data
	Presence of an intermediary (e.g. editor, consultant)
	Positive terminology (e.g. “Care Improvement System” vs. “Error Reporting System”)
Processing entity	Separate from the state
	Diverse mix of professionals (clinical and non-clinical)
	No punitive power
Instructions	Information distributed to impart when to use, system goals, protections offered, and system limitations
	Training options: on-site expert, help desk, auto tutorials, help icons