What type of report is used for documenting variances to improve quality and identify risk patterns?

The incident report is specifically designed for documenting variances, such as errors, adverse events, or any incidents that deviate from standard operating procedures. This type of report is crucial in healthcare settings for tracking and analyzing incidents, which can help organizations identify trends or patterns that may pose risks to patient safety or overall quality of care. By capturing detailed information about the circumstances surrounding each variance, healthcare professionals can implement changes to processes, provide additional training, or modify protocols to mitigate similar incidents in the future.

In contrast, the other report types have different purposes. A nurse's shift report typically focuses on the handover of patient care information between nursing shifts, ensuring continuity of care. A transfer report is used when patients are being moved from one care setting to another, providing critical information necessary for their ongoing treatment. Telemedicine reports pertain to remote care interactions and documentation of those visits, not specifically aimed at incident tracking or risk management. Therefore, incident reports play a vital role in enhancing quality and safety in healthcare by identifying and addressing variances effectively.