AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

What institutional document is completed when an adverse or unusual event takes place in the OR?

1. Patient report

2. Surgical conflict report

3. Incident report

4. Safety evaluation

The correct answer is: Incident report

The appropriate institutional document for recording an adverse or unusual event that occurs in the operating room is the incident report. This document is crucial for documenting unexpected occurrences that deviate from the standard clinical pathway or negatively impact patient safety or care. Completing an incident report helps healthcare organizations identify potential safety hazards and areas for improvement, and it is often used to analyze patterns of incidents, develop strategies for risk management, and enhance overall patient care quality. Such reports are typically confidential and are not meant for public disclosure, ensuring that staff can report issues without fear of repercussions, which encourages a culture of safety and transparency. Other options do not serve this specific purpose: while patient reports may contain information about the surgical procedure and the patient's status, they do not focus on unusual occurrences; surgical conflict reports generally document disagreements among the surgical team; and safety evaluation focuses on assessing safety measures in place rather than detailing individual incidents.