Adverse event reporting system in a Moroccan regional hospital

Objective: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health professionals at the Regional Hospital of Northern Morocco regarding the adverse event (AE) reporting system and to identify the main improvement actions to promote and sustain the reporting of AEs. Methods: This is a cross-sectional exploratory study carried out in 2019 based on a pre-established, pre-tested, and self-administered questionnaire among medical and paramedical staff working at the Regional Hospital of Northern Morocco and semi-structured interviews. Results: Only 41% of respondents said they were aware of the general reporting process. The most reported AEs were nosocomial or surgical site infections, followed by surgical and invasive AEs. The majority of respondents perceived the importance of implementing an AE reporting system to ensure patient and staff safety (89.7%) and control AEs (82.4%). However, many obstacles to AE reporting have been highlighted. The main reasons for non-reporting of AEs were: non-application of corrective measures due to lack of resources (76.6%) and lack of information on treatment, analysis, and monitoring of AEs (74.4%). Conclusion: Given the large number of non-reporters and the reasons for non-reporting, information and awareness sessions should be carried out to mobilize the various stakeholders around this important AE prevention system.