A confidential reporting system is a voluntary system that allows healthcare professionals to report patient safety incidents or nearmisses without fear of legal or professional repercussions12.
The purpose of a confidential reporting system is to enhance the data available to assess and resolve patient safety and quality issues, and to encourage the reporting and analysis of medical errors12.
A confidential reporting system is different from an anonymous reporting system, where the reporter’s identity is unknown, or a nonconfidential reporting system, where the reporter’s identity is disclosed3.
In a confidential reporting system, the reporter’s identity is hidden from authorities, such as legal authorities, regulatory groups, or the public12. However, the reporter’s identity may be known to the entity that operates the reporting system, such as a patient safety organization (PSO) or a healthcare organization12.
The reporter’s identity is protected by federal privilege and confidentiality protections under the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (PSQIA)12. This means that the reporter’s identity and the information reported cannot be used for legal or regulatory purposes, or disclosed to anyone without the reporter’s consent12.
Therefore, the correct answer is A. hidden from authorities, because in a confidential reporting system, the reporter’s identity is not revealed to anyone outside the reporting system, unless the reporter agrees to do so. References: 1: Understanding Patient Safety Confidentiality 2: Confidential Physician Feedback Reports: Designing for Optimal Impact on Performance 3: Quality - Safety & Confidentiality - General - AIHC
