Major incident reports must be kept by a facility for how long?

The requirement for retaining major incident reports for a period of two years is aligned with best practices in risk management and regulatory compliance in many healthcare and safety-related industries. This duration strikes a balance between ensuring that records are available for review and analysis while not overwhelming the facility with excessive record-keeping.

Keeping reports for two years allows facilities to track trends and patterns in incidents, which is critical for improving safety protocols and preventing future occurrences. It also ensures that any reports associated with incidents are sufficiently available for necessary audits or reviews without maintaining them indefinitely, which could complicate administrative workloads and data management. This period is often supported by various guidelines and regulations established by health organizations or regulatory authorities, emphasizing the importance of such retention for the benefit of patient safety and care quality.