The unit in-charge is following up an incident report for a patient who fell down...

When an incident such as a patient fall occurs, specific protocols must be followed to ensure proper documentation and quality improvement processes.

Writing the Incident Report Immediately: The nurse should document the incident as soon as possible to ensure accurate details are captured.

Investigating the Root Cause of the Incident: This is essential to prevent future occurrences and improve patient safety. It involves a thorough analysis of the factors that led to the incident.

Writing the Incident Report by the Assigned Nurse: The nurse who witnessed or discovered the incident is typically responsible for documenting it, ensuring first-hand accuracy.

Documenting the Incident Report in Patient's Record: This is incorrect. Incident reports are meant for internal use to track and analyze incidents and should not be included in the patient’s medical record. Including it in the patient's record can potentially compromise confidentiality and affect the patient’s care.

References:

The Joint Commission: Sentinel Event Policy and Procedures

National Patient Safety Foundation: Guidelines for Incident Reporting